Meaning & use
readers
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“readers” is a form of “reader”.
Meanings
nounplural
People who read a book, newspaper, website or other text, especially regularly.
Grammar: Plural of reader; takes a plural verb: our readers are loyal.
Patterns
- readers of something
The newspaper has over a million readers.
Many readers wrote to thank the author.
Young readers enjoy stories with pictures.
nounplural
Books or short texts made for learners practicing reading, often at graded levels.
Grammar: Often graded readers or school readers.
Patterns
- graded readers
The class uses graded readers to build vocabulary.
Beginner readers have short sentences and simple stories.
She borrowed several readers from the school library.
nounpluraltechnical
Devices or machines that read data, such as a card reader or an e-reader.
Grammar: Often part of a compound: card readers, e-readers.
Patterns
- card readers
The shop installed new card readers at every till.
Many e-readers can store thousands of books.
Barcode readers speed up checkout.
Word forms
| singular | reader |
|---|
Common combinations
- avid readers
- Avid readers often finish a book a week.
- regular readers
- Regular readers know the writer's style.
- attract readers
- A good headline will attract readers.
- reluctant readers
- Comic books help reluctant readers.
- dear readers
- The editor opened her letter with Dear readers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- audience
- Audience is broader and can include listeners or viewers, while readers are specifically people who read.
- subscribers
- Subscribers pay or sign up for a publication, whereas readers may just read it.
- bookworms
- Bookworms are people who love reading and is informal and affectionate.
Opposites
Word family
- read verb
- to look at and understand words
- reading noun
- the act of reading
- readable adjective
- easy or pleasant to read
- readership noun
- all the readers of a publication
Commonly confused: readers or readership?
readers vs readership
Readership is the total group of readers of a publication, treated as one, while readers are individual people.
Practice
The magazine asked its ______ to send in photographs of their gardens.
Choose one answer.
Readers is the plural noun for the people who read the magazine. Readership is the group as a whole and would not take that plural form here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “readers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.