verb
recede
rih-SEED
Recede (verb) means to move gradually back or away from a previous position. Example: “The floodwaters began to recede after two days.”
verb
1
To move gradually back or away from a previous position.
"The floodwaters began to recede after two days."
"His hairline started receding in his late twenties."
How to use recede
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGradually moving back, shrinking away, or fading.
Common pairings
receding hairline
the tide recedes
fear receded
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- recedes
- Past tense
- receded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The floodwaters began to _____ after two days.
Etymology
From Middle French receder and Latin recedere ("to withdraw"), from re- plus cedere ("to go").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for recede
See all rhymes for recede →Frequently asked questions
What does “recede” mean?
The word “recede” means to move gradually back or away from a previous position. In plain terms, gradually moving back, shrinking away, or fading.
How do you pronounce “recede”?
“Recede” is pronounced rih-SEED (/ɹɪˈsiːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “recede” in a sentence?
Here is “recede” used in a sentence: “The floodwaters began to recede after two days.”
What part of speech is “recede”?
“Recede” is a verb.
Where does the word “recede” come from?
The word “recede” comes from Latin. From Middle French receder and Latin recedere ("to withdraw"), from re- plus cedere ("to go").
