noun
Common
recipient
ruh-SIHP-ee-uhnt
Recipient (noun) means a person who receives something, such as a gift, message, or award. Example: “Each recipient of the parcel has to sign for it at the door.”
noun
1
A person who receives something, such as a gift, message, or award.
"Each recipient of the parcel has to sign for it at the door."
"The email lists three recipients in the "To" field."
"She was the proud recipient of a full scholarship."
2
A person who receives a donated organ or tissue in a transplant.
"The hospital told the heart recipient to take her medicine every morning."
"A donor and a recipient must be carefully matched before a transplant."
"The kidney recipient recovered well after the operation."
How to use recipient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who gets or is given something.
Common pairings
recipient of an award
organ recipient
intended recipient
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Word forms
- Plural
- recipients
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Each _____ of the parcel has to sign for it at the door.
Etymology
From Latin recipiens, "receiving," the present participle of recipio, "to take back, receive" — the same root that gives us "recipe" and "receive."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for recipient
See all rhymes for recipient →Frequently asked questions
What does “recipient” mean?
The word “recipient” means a person who receives something, such as a gift, message, or award. In plain terms, someone who gets or is given something.
How do you pronounce “recipient”?
“Recipient” is pronounced ruh-SIHP-ee-uhnt (/ɹəˈsɪp.i.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “recipient” in a sentence?
Here is “recipient” used in a sentence: “The email lists three recipients in the "To" field.”
What is another word for “recipient”?
Words with a similar meaning to “recipient” include accepter, accipient, acquirer, getter, obtainer and procurer.
What is the opposite of “recipient”?
The opposite of “recipient” — its antonyms — is giver.
What part of speech is “recipient”?
“Recipient” is a noun.
Where does the word “recipient” come from?
The word “recipient” comes from Latin. From Latin recipiens, "receiving," the present participle of recipio, "to take back, receive" — the same root that gives us "recipe" and "receive.".
Is “recipient” a common word?
“Recipient” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a recipient and a donor?
A recipient is the person who receives something, while a donor is the person who gives it. In a transplant, for example, the donor provides an organ and the recipient receives it.
What is the difference between a recipient and a sender?
The sender is the person who sends a message, gift, or item, while the recipient is the person who receives it. They are opposite ends of the same exchange.
What is the difference between a recipient and a beneficiary?
A recipient is anyone who receives something directly, such as a message or an award. A beneficiary specifically gains a benefit, often money, property, or advantages from a will, insurance policy, or trust, so every beneficiary is a recipient but not every recipient is a beneficiary.
What preposition is used with 'recipient'?
'Recipient' is usually followed by 'of', as in the recipient of an award or the recipient of a donated organ. This links the person to whatever they received.
