verb

rid

rihd

verb

To free a person, place, or thing of something unwanted, usually followed by "of."

"The new filter helps rid the water of impurities."

"They finally rid the house of the mice problem."

How to Use Rid

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get rid of, or free something from, an unwanted problem or thing.

Common mistake

Almost always used with "of": you "rid something OF a problem," not just "rid something."

Common pairings

rid of pests good riddance rid the world of

Word Forms

rid past tense, ridded past tense, ridden past tense, rid plural, ridded plural, rids singular, rid singular, ridded singular, riddest singular, riddedst singular, riddeth singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The new filter helps _____ the water of impurities.

Etymology

From Middle English ridden, meaning to clear away debris or obstructions, ultimately from Old English roots meaning "to clear."

Rhymes for rid

arid grid lurid Farid Madrid hybrid horrid torrid putrid Astrid Sigrid Ingrid

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