Read Meaning

UK /riːd/
US /riːd/
Word Definition
read meaning

Read Definition & Usage

verb

To interpret written or printed text by mentally processing the symbols or words.

Examples

  • "I love to read books in the evening."
  • "She read the instructions carefully before assembling the furniture."
  • "He read the newspaper while having breakfast."
  • "After the meeting, I read the email that was sent to me."
  • "The teacher asked the students to read chapter three aloud."
verb

To understand, interpret, or judge the meaning of something, such as a situation or behavior.

Examples

  • "She could read between the lines of his words and understood his true feelings."
  • "He reads people well and knows when they’re upset."
  • "The detective read the scene carefully to gather clues."
  • "I read her expression and realized something was wrong."
  • "You should read the room before making that kind of joke."
verb

To engage in reading for pleasure or leisure.

Examples

  • "On weekends, I like to read novels by my favorite authors."
  • "She reads for an hour every night before bed."
  • "He spends his free time reading sci-fi books."
  • "I read a thrilling mystery novel last night."
  • "Reading is a great way to relax after a long day."
verb

To speak the written or printed words aloud.

Examples

  • "The teacher asked the students to read the poem out loud."
  • "He was asked to read the passage for the class."
  • "Please read the paragraph to the group."
  • "She read the letter aloud for everyone to hear."
  • "During the meeting, the manager read the report aloud."
verb

The past tense or past participle form of 'read' (pronounced the same as 'red'). Used to refer to a completed action of reading.

Examples

  • "I read the book last weekend."
  • "She read the report before the meeting started."
  • "He had already read the article when I asked about it."
  • "They read the story at school yesterday."
  • "By the time I arrived, they had read the entire novel."

Cultural Context

Reading is a fundamental activity in many cultures, dating back thousands of years to the development of written language. It serves not only as a means of communication but also as a vehicle for education, culture, and entertainment.

The Mystery of the Hidden Message

Story

The Mystery of the Hidden Message

It was a quiet Saturday morning when Lisa sat down in the cozy corner of her living room, book in hand. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, making it the perfect time to read. She opened the novel she had been meaning to get to for weeks. As she read through the first few pages, she found herself caught in the mystery of the plot. But it wasn’t just the words on the page that intrigued her—there was something more. The way the characters communicated, their body language, their actions, it was all part of the puzzle. 'I can read between the lines here,' she thought, sensing that the true meaning of the story was hidden in subtle cues, just like the clues left behind by a criminal in a detective novel. Lisa wasn’t alone. Her younger brother, Ben, walked into the room and asked her to read the latest email he had received from his school. 'I don’t really get it,' he admitted, passing his phone to her. Lisa smiled and began reading the email aloud. As she read, she noticed something unusual—a line that seemed odd. 'Let me read this again,' she muttered. 'I think they’re saying you have to submit your form today, not next week.' Ben’s face lit up in understanding, and they both laughed at the mix-up. Later that afternoon, Lisa decided to take a break from reading and catch up with her friend Sarah. As they sat at the café, Lisa noticed Sarah’s expression was tense. 'What’s wrong?' she asked. Sarah hesitated before saying, 'I’m just... reading the situation. Something feels off.' Lisa nodded. 'I get it. You’re reading the room.' They both laughed, realizing how the word 'read' could mean so many things—whether it was interpreting a book, a message, or even a person’s mood. In the end, reading was not just about words on a page, but about understanding the world around them, deciphering both the obvious and the hidden. That evening, Lisa returned to her novel, but now, she found herself reading with a deeper understanding—of both the characters and herself.

The Mystery of the Hidden Message