noun

recce

REK-ee

Recce (noun) means a quick look at a place in advance to find out what it is like and what will be needed there. Example: “We did a recce of the venue on Friday before the shoot.”

noun

informal, chiefly British A quick look at a place in advance to find out what it is like and what will be needed there.

"We did a recce of the venue on Friday before the shoot."

"Give the route a recce before you take the whole group up."

verb

informal, chiefly British To carry out such an advance inspection.

"I'll recce the car park and text you where to meet."

How to use recce

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick advance look at a place before the real thing happens.

When to use it

Informal British; standard usage in film production and the armed forces.

Memory tip

Americans will understand "recon" more readily than "recce".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

recon → reconnaissance → survey →

Common pairings

do a recce a quick recce recce the site recce trip

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We did a _____ of the venue on Friday before the shoot.

Etymology

A clipped, informal shortening of reconnaissance, originating in British military slang and now general in film, events and outdoor work.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

reconnaissance recon scout survey look around reconnoitre case scope out

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between recce and recon?

They are the same abbreviation of reconnaissance, split by region: recce is British and Commonwealth, recon is American. Recce has also spread further into civilian use — film crews, event planners and climbers all do recces.

How do you spell the past tense of recce?

Recced is the usual form, with recceing as the participle; some writers prefer "recced" over the awkward "recceed". Because it looks odd on the page, many people write "did a recce" instead.

How is recce pronounced?

REK-ee, with a hard c. It does not rhyme with "Reese".

What is the meaning of recce?

"recce" (noun) means a quick look at a place in advance to find out what it is like and what will be needed there.

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