recite
rih-SYT
Recite (verb) means to say a piece of writing aloud from memory, often to an audience. Example: “The child recited the alphabet perfectly.”
verb
1
To say a piece of writing aloud from memory, often to an audience.
"The child recited the alphabet perfectly."
"He can recite entire scenes from his favorite film."
2
To list or state a series of facts one by one.
"She recited all the reasons the plan wouldn't work."
How to use recite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo say something (usually memorized) out loud, or to list things one after another.
Common pairings
recite a poem
recite from memory
recite the facts
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- recites
- Past tense
- recited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child _____ the alphabet perfectly.
Etymology
From Old French reciter, from Latin recitare, "to read out" — built from re- ("again") and citare ("to summon, call out").
Related words
Rhymes for recite
See all rhymes for recite →Frequently asked questions
What does “recite” mean?
The word “recite” means to say a piece of writing aloud from memory, often to an audience. In plain terms, to say something (usually memorized) out loud, or to list things one after another.
How do you pronounce “recite”?
“Recite” is pronounced rih-SYT (/ɹɪˈsaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “recite” in a sentence?
Here is “recite” used in a sentence: “The child recited the alphabet perfectly.”
What part of speech is “recite”?
“Recite” is a verb.
Where does the word “recite” come from?
The word “recite” comes from Latin. From Old French reciter, from Latin recitare, "to read out" — built from re- ("again") and citare ("to summon, call out").
Is “recite” a common word?
“Recite” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “recite” have?
“Recite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to say a piece of writing aloud from memory, often to an audience.
