to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.)

to read a book; to read music.

to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.)

reading a story to his children; The actor read his lines in a booming voice.

to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it

to be able to read French.

to apprehend the meaning of (signs, characters, etc.) otherwise than with the eyes, as by means of the fingers

to read Braille.

to apprehend or interpret the meaning of (gestures, movements, signals, or the like)

to read a semaphore; to read sign language.

to make out the significance of by scrutiny or observation

to read the cloudy sky as the threat of a storm; a fisherman skilled in reading a stream for potential pools.

to anticipate, expect, or calculate by observation

At the line of scrimmage, the quarterback read a blitz and called an audible.

to foresee, foretell, or predict

to read a person's fortune in tea leaves.

to make out the character, motivations, desires, etc., of (a person or persons), as by the interpretation of outward signs.

to interpret or attribute a meaning to (a written text), a musical composition, etc.)

How do you read this clause in the contract?

to infer (something not expressed or directly indicated) from what is read, considered, or observed

He read an underlying sarcasm into her letter. In your silence I read agreement to my plan.

to adopt or give as a reading in a particular passage

For one thousand another version reads ten thousand.

to substitute or replace (a particular word or phrase) in a written text, usually to correct an error

Read cavalry for calvary.

to check (printers' proofs, copy, etc.) for errors; proofread.

to register or indicate, as a thermometer, clock, etc.

Computers . to obtain (data, programs, or control information) from an external storage medium or some other source and place in memory.

British . to study (a subject), as at a university

to read law.

to read the work of (an author)

She is reading Kafka.

to learn by or as if by reading

to read a person's thoughts.

to hear and understand (a transmitted radio message or the person transmitting it); receive

I read you loud and clear.

to bring, put, etc., by reading

to read oneself to sleep.

to give one (a lecture or lesson) by way of admonition or rebuke.

to discover or explain the meaning of (a riddle, dream, etc.).

to read or peruse written or printed matter.

to utter aloud or render in speech written or printed words that one is perusing

to read to a person.

to give a public reading or recital.

to inspect and apprehend the meaning of written or other signs or characters.

to occupy oneself seriously with reading or study.

to obtain knowledge or learn of something by reading.

to admit of being read, esp. properly or well.

to have a certain wording.

to admit of being interpreted

a rule that reads in two different ways.

to register or indicate particular information, as the status or condition of something

Her blood pressure is reading a little low today.

to have an effect or make an impression; show forth

Those battle photographs read with great impact.

Computers . to read data, programs, or control information.

an act or instance of reading

Give the agreement a careful read before you sign it.

something that is read

Her new novel is a wonderful read.

read in, Computers . to place (data, programs, or control information) in memory.

read out,

to read aloud, as for someone's attention.

Computers . to retrieve (information) from a computer.

read out of, to oust from membership in (a political party or other group) by a public announcement of dismissal

He was read out of the association because of alleged subversive activities.

read up on, to learn about by reading; gather information on; research by reading

You'd better read up on World War I before taking the history test.

read between the lines. line 1 ( def. 81 ) .

read for, (of an actor) to audition for (a role, a play

etc.).

read lips

to study the lip movements of a speaker who cannot be heard so as to determine the words being uttered.

read the green. Golf . green ( def. 30 ) .

read the riot act. Riot Act ( def. 2 ) .

verb

write

verb

apprehend , bury oneself in , comprehend , construe , decipher , dip into * , discover , flip through * , gather , glance , go over , go through , interpret , know , leaf through , learn , make out * , perceive , peruse , pore over , refer to , scan , scratch the surface , see , skim , study , translate , unravel , view , affirm , announce , assert , declaim , deliver , display , explain , expound , hold , indicate , mark , paraphrase , pronounce , recite , record , register , render , restate , say , show , speak , utter , accept , catch , compass , conceive , fathom , follow , get , grasp , make out , sense , take , take in , browse , describe , descry , discern , express , foresee , foretell , pore , predict , proof , relate , tell , understand