reed
4 synonyms for reed, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tall, slender grass-like plant that grows in wet ground or shallow water.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use reed
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a bed of reeds
clarinet reed
reed instrument
Etymology
From Old English hreod, referring to the wetland plant.
Full origin of reed →Frequently asked questions
What does “reed” mean?
The word “reed” means a tall, slender grass-like plant that grows in wet ground or shallow water. In plain terms, a tall marsh plant, or the vibrating strip that makes sound in instruments like clarinets and oboes.
How do you pronounce “reed”?
“Reed” is pronounced reed (/ɹiːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “reed” in a sentence?
Here is “reed” used in a sentence: “Reeds grew thick along the edge of the pond.”
What part of speech is “reed”?
“Reed” is a noun.
Where does the word “reed” come from?
The word “reed” comes from Old English. From Old English hreod, referring to the wetland plant.
Is “reed” a common word?
“Reed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “reed” have?
“Reed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall, slender grass-like plant that grows in wet ground or shallow water.
Where do reeds grow?
Reeds are tall, slender, grass-like plants that grow in wet ground or shallow water. They are typically found in marshes, reed beds, and along the edges of rivers, lakes and ponds.
Which musical instruments use a reed?
Single-reed instruments include the clarinet and saxophone, while the oboe and bassoon use a double reed. Instruments such as the harmonica and accordion use thin metal reeds; in every case the reed is a strip of cane or metal that vibrates to produce the sound.
What is the difference between a single reed and a double reed?
A single reed is one strip of cane that vibrates against the mouthpiece of an instrument such as a clarinet or saxophone. A double reed consists of two strips bound together that vibrate against each other, as on an oboe or bassoon.
Do reed and read sound the same?
Yes, reed is a homophone of the present-tense verb read, so "a reed" and "to read" sound identical in speech. The plant and the vibrating strip in an instrument are always spelled reed, while the word for looking at written text is spelled read.
