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Meaning & use

recipient

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/rɪˈsɪp.i.ənt/
US/rɪˈsɪp.i.ənt/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person or organization that receives something, such as a prize, payment, letter or gift.

    Grammar: Often followed by of: the recipient of an award.

    Patterns

    • the recipient of something

    She was the recipient of the national teaching award.

    The recipient of the letter must sign for it.

    Charities are the main recipients of his donations.

  2. nouncountablemedical

    A person who receives an organ, blood or tissue from a donor.

    Grammar: Medical use, paired with donor.

    Patterns

    • a recipient of a transplant

    The kidney recipient recovered quickly after surgery.

    Doctors matched the donor with a suitable recipient.

    The heart recipient thanked the donor's family.

  3. nouncountable

    The person or thing that is the target of an action or message.

    Grammar: Used in grammar and email.

    Patterns

    • the recipient of an email

    The email recipient never replied.

    In the sentence, the recipient of the gift is the indirect object.

    Check that the recipient's address is correct.

Word forms

pluralrecipients

Common combinations

the recipient of an award
She is the recipient of several awards.
an organ recipient
He is an organ recipient and takes daily medication.
intended recipient
The message reached its intended recipient.
a grant recipient
Every grant recipient must submit a report.
an unlikely recipient
The shy student was an unlikely recipient of the prize.

Synonyms and how they differ

receiver
Receiver is plainer and can also mean a device or sports player, while recipient is more formal.
beneficiary
A beneficiary gains from something, such as a will or policy, while a recipient merely receives.
addressee
Addressee refers only to the person a letter or message is addressed to.

Opposites

donorsendergiver

Word family

receive verb
to get something that is sent or given
receipt noun
a written proof of payment, or the act of receiving
reception noun
the act of receiving or a welcome
receptive adjective
willing to accept new ideas

Commonly confused: recipient or receipt?

recipient vs receipt

A receipt is proof of purchase, while a recipient is the person who receives something.

Practice

The ___ of this year's science prize will be announced on Friday.

Make it your own

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