verb

receive

rih-SEEV

verb

To be given, sent, or handed something.

"She received a package from her sister this morning."

"He received a promotion after five years at the company."

To welcome guests or visitors formally.

"The ambassador received foreign dignitaries at the embassy."

To pick up a broadcast or transmitted signal.

"The old radio could barely receive the local stations."

To take goods knowing they were stolen.

"He was charged with receiving stolen property."

How to Use Receive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGetting or being given something, whether an object, a message, guests, or a signal.

Common mistake

Classic spelling trap: it's "i" before "e" except after "c" — receive follows the rule.

Common pairings

receive a gift receive news receive guests

Word Forms

received past tense, receive plural, received plural, receives plural, receives singular, receive singular, received singular, receivest singular, receivedst singular, receiveth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ a package from her sister this morning.

Etymology

From Old French receivre and Latin recipere, from re- ("back") plus capio ("to take") — related to conceive, deceive, and perceive.

Synonyms

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acquire accept attain come by cop enlist fang gain garner get get hold of get one's hands on

Antonyms

give lose sell get rid of unacquire unget

Related Words

barter abandon accept be take add accumulate achieve

Rhymes for receive

Ive five give dive live hive jive vive olive drive alive waive

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acquire accept attain come by cop enlist fang gain garner get get hold of get one's hands on