a period or act of reading something:I was having a quiet read of the newspaper
[with adjective] informal a book considered in terms of its readability:the book is a thoroughly entertaining read
US a person’s interpretation of something:their read on the national situation may be correct
ზმნა
Universal
1look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed:it’s the best novel I’ve ever readI never learned to read musicEmily read over her notes [no object]:I’ll go to bed and read for a while
[no object] have the ability to look at and comprehend the meaning of written or printed matter:only three of the girls could read and none could write
speak (the written or printed matter that one is reading) aloud:I read the letter to herthe charges against him were read out [no object]:I’ll read to you if you like
habitually read (a particular newspaper or periodical):now, I know what my reputation is—I read the papers
[no object, with complement] (of a passage, text, or sign) have a certain wording:the placard read ‘We want justice’
used to indicate that a particular word in a text or passage is incorrect and that another should be substituted for it:for madam read madman
[no object] (read for) (of an actor) audition for (a role):ring your agent and say you’ll read for the part
2discover (information) by reading it in a written or printed source:he was arrested yesterday—I read it in the paper [no object]:I read about the course in a magazine
(as adjective, with submodifier read) having a specified level of knowledge as a result of reading:Ada was well read in French literature
discern (a fact, emotion, or quality) in someone’s eyes or expression:she looked down, terrified that he would read fear on her face
3understand or interpret the nature or significance of:he didn’t dare look away, in case this was read as a sign of weakness
[no object, with adverbial] (of a piece of writing) convey a specified impression to the reader:the brief note read like a cry for help
4inspect and record the figure indicated on (a measuring instrument):I’ve come to read the gas meter
[no object, with complement] (of a measuring instrument) indicate a specified measurement or figure:the thermometer read 0° C
5chiefly British study (an academic subject) at a university:I’m reading English at Cambridge [no object]:he went to Manchester to read for a BA in Economics
6(of a computer) copy, transfer, or interpret (data):it attempts to read a floppy disk without regard to its format
[with object and adverbial] enter or extract (data) in an electronic storage device:the commonest way of reading a file into the system
(of a device) obtain data from (light or other input):the microchip gives a unique code when read by the scanner
7present (a bill or other measure) before a legislative assembly:the bill was accordingly read a second time
8hear and understand the words of (someone speaking on a radio transmitter):‘Do you read me? Over.’
read between the lines
look for or discover a meaning that is implied rather than explicitly stated:reading between the lines, I think Clare needs money
read someone like a book
understand someone’s thoughts and motives easily.
read someone's mind (or thoughts)
discern what someone is thinking:he nodded, as though he could read her mind and approved of her attitude
read my lips
North American informal listen carefully (used to emphasize the importance of the speaker’s words):forget about him—read my lips, he wasn’t worth it
take something as read
British assume something without the need for further discussion:you can take it as read that you have the contract
you wouldn't read about it
Australian/NZ informal used to express incredulity, disgust, or ruefulness.
read something into
attribute a meaning or significance to (something) that it may not in fact possess:was I reading too much into his behaviour?
read someone out of
chiefly US formally expel someone from (an organization):a lot of people got read out of the churches
[with reference to the reading of the formal sentence of expulsion]
read up on something (or read something up)
acquire information about a particular subject by studying it intensively:she spent the time reading up on antenatal care