Meaning & use
received
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Generally accepted as true, correct, or standard, especially by an authority or tradition.
Grammar: Used before a noun, often in phrases like 'received wisdom' or 'received ideas'.
Patterns
- received wisdom
- received ideas
- received opinion
According to received wisdom, you should drink eight glasses of water a day.
His theories challenged the received ideas of his time.
She questioned the received opinion that women were less capable in science.
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of 'receive': got or was given something.
Grammar: Takes an object; the base form is 'receive'.
Patterns
- received something from someone
- received a letter
- received an award
I received your letter yesterday.
She received a prize for her essay.
They received the news with great joy.
Common combinations
- received wisdom
- Contrary to received wisdom, breakfast is not the most important meal for everyone.
- received pronunciation
- Received Pronunciation is a traditional accent of British English.
- received a letter
- He received a letter from the bank yesterday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- accepted
- Similar to 'received' in the sense of generally agreed, but 'accepted' is more common in everyday language.
- conventional
- Focuses on following tradition; 'received' often implies acceptance by an authority.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: received or receptive?
received vs receptive
Means willing to listen to or accept new ideas; 'received' means generally accepted.
Practice
Choose the correct word: The book challenges the ______ wisdom that money brings happiness.
Choose one answer.
'Received wisdom' is a fixed phrase meaning generally accepted belief. 'Receiving' is a verb form, 'receptive' means willing to listen, and 'reception' is a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “received”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.