Receive Meaning

UK /rɪˈsiːv/
US /rɪˈsiːv/
Word Definition
receive meaning

Receive Definition & Usage

verb

To get, accept, or be given something.

Examples

  • "I received a gift for my birthday."
  • "She received an email about the meeting tomorrow."
  • "He received the news with a mixture of joy and disbelief."
  • "The company received a lot of praise for its customer service."
  • "I received the package this morning."
verb

To accept or welcome something offered, particularly in a personal or emotional context.

Examples

  • "She received his apology with grace."
  • "He received the compliments humbly, not knowing how to respond."
  • "They received the bad news quietly, unsure of what to say."
  • "I received her invitation with excitement, knowing it was going to be a special event."
  • "They received their guests warmly at the party."
verb

To get or accept data or signals, especially in technical contexts.

Examples

  • "The computer received the signal from the satellite."
  • "Your phone will receive notifications when you have a new message."
  • "The radio receiver is used to receive transmissions from the station."
  • "The system received the data update and processed it immediately."
  • "The device is able to receive both video and audio signals."
verb

To formally accept or acknowledge something, often used in official or legal contexts.

Examples

  • "He received the court summons with a sense of dread."
  • "The company received the legal notice and began taking action."
  • "They received official approval to proceed with the project."
  • "The defendant received a fair trial according to the law."
  • "I received confirmation of my appointment in writing."

Cultural Context

The word 'receive' has been part of the English language for centuries, evolving from Latin roots in 'recipere', meaning to take back or accept. Its widespread usage across various fields—from personal exchanges to legal contexts—reflects its versatility and importance in daily life.

The Unexpected Guest

Story

The Unexpected Guest

It was a cold Friday evening when Emma received an unexpected knock at her door. She wasn’t expecting anyone, especially not at this hour. Hesitantly, she opened it to find a stranger standing in the doorway, holding a package. She received it with a raised eyebrow, wondering if it was a mistake. The man smiled and said, 'It’s for you.' Emma took the package and thanked him, though she was still puzzled. She received the package eagerly, thinking it might be the book she had ordered last week, but to her surprise, it was a large envelope from a law firm. As she opened it, she received a letter notifying her of a legal claim she had no idea about. The news hit her hard, and for a moment, she couldn’t process it. The situation left her confused and uncertain, but she realized she had no choice but to accept it. After a few days of sorting through the paperwork, Emma received advice from her lawyer, who assured her that the matter could be resolved. Although she had never expected to receive something like this in the mail, she knew she had to move forward and deal with it. In the end, she received some peace of mind knowing that everything was under control, but the initial shock had left her deeply reflective about how unexpected life could be.

The Unexpected Guest