Meaning & use
receive
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To get something that someone gives or sends you.
Grammar: Takes an object: receive a letter.
Patterns
- receive something from someone
- receive something
I received your email this morning.
She received a prize for her work.
He receives a pension every month.
verbtransitive
To experience or be given something, such as treatment or news.
Grammar: Takes an object: receive help.
Patterns
- receive treatment
- receive training
Patients receive treatment within a week.
The workers received training before starting.
The town received heavy rainfall.
verbtransitive
To welcome or react to someone or something in a certain way.
Grammar: Often passive: the film was well received.
Patterns
- be well received
- receive someone
The film was warmly received by critics.
The king received the visitors in the hall.
His speech was badly received.
verbtransitive
To pick up a signal such as a broadcast or call.
Grammar: Takes an object: receive a signal.
Patterns
- receive a signal
The radio can receive stations from abroad.
We couldn't receive the signal in the valley.
The phone received a text.
Word forms
| third person singular | receives |
|---|---|
| past tense | received |
| past participle | received |
| -ing form | receiving |
Common combinations
- receive a letter
- I received a letter from the bank.
- receive treatment
- He is receiving treatment.
- receive an award
- She received an award.
- well received
- The idea was well received.
- receive a warm welcome
- Visitors receive a warm welcome.
- receive attention
- The issue received little attention.
Synonyms and how they differ
- get
- More casual and more general.
- accept
- Means agreeing to take, not just getting.
- obtain
- Suggests getting something by effort.
- be given
- Passive wording that stresses the giver.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: receive or recieve? receive or accept?
receive vs recieve
Recieve is a common misspelling; the correct pattern is e after c: receive.
receive vs accept
You can receive a gift and still not accept it.
Practice
Which spelling is correct?
Choose one answer.
After c the pattern is ei, so receive is right; the others are misspellings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “receive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.