reading
reading
Pronunciation
/ˈriːdɪŋ/
First Syllable (/ˈriː/):
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant (like the "r" in "red")
/iː/: Long close front unrounded vowel (like the "ee" in "see")
Second Syllable (/dɪŋ/):
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive (like the "d" in "dog")
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "kit")
/ŋ/: Voiced velar nasal (like the "ng" in "sing")
Word Form Variations
Verb (base form): read
Present Tense (simple):
read (I read, you read, we read, they read)
reads (he/she/it reads)
Past Tense: read (I read, you read, he/she/it read, we read, they read) - Note: Same spelling as base form, but pronounced differently (/rɛd/)
Past Participle: read (has/have read, had read) - Note: Same spelling as base form, but pronounced differently (/rɛd/)
Present Participle/Gerund: reading (is reading, was reading, "Reading is my favorite hobby.")
Noun:
Singular: reading (e.g., "I enjoyed that reading.")
Plural: readings (e.g., "The meter showed several readings.")
Adjective:
"Reading" can sometimes function as an adjective, often in compound nouns or phrases (e.g., "a reading light," "reading glasses"). While it's not a typical adjective that takes comparative or superlative forms (like "taller," "tallest"), its adjectival use is a variation.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The act or process of interpreting written or printed characters to derive meaning.
Example: "Her daily reading of the newspaper keeps her informed about current events."
Synonyms: perusal, study, decipherment, interpretation
Antonyms: (None directly apply to the act of reading, but rather the absence of it, e.g., illiteracy, ignorance)
A specific piece of written material intended to be read or publicly recited.
Example: "The poet gave an emotional reading of his latest work at the literary festival."
Synonyms: recitation, presentation, passage, excerpt, text, discourse
Antonyms: (None directly, as it refers to a specific item)
An interpretation or understanding of a text, situation, or data.
Example: "The lawyer offered a different reading of the contract's obscure clause."
Synonyms: interpretation, understanding, perspective, perception, analysis, rendition
Antonyms: misinterpretation, misunderstanding, misreading
A numerical value or piece of information obtained from a measuring device or instrument.
Example: "The thermometer showed a high reading, indicating a fever."
Synonyms: measurement, indication, data point, figure, value
Antonyms: (None directly, as it refers to an obtained value)
Verb (from the gerund form of "to read")
The ongoing action of comprehending written or printed material.
Example: "He spent the entire afternoon reading in the library."
Synonyms: perusing, studying, scanning, Browse, poring over
Antonyms: writing, speaking, listening (in the context of not actively engaging with text)
The skill or ability to understand written language.
Example: "Improving her reading skills was her primary academic goal."
Synonyms: literacy, comprehension, discernment
Antonyms: illiteracy, inability to read
Adjective
Relating to or used for the act or purpose of reading.
Example: "She adjusted her reading lamp to get better illumination."
Synonyms: literary, textual, academic (in certain contexts)
Antonyms: (None directly, as it describes a function rather than an opposition)
Engaged in or occupied with the act of reading.
Example: "The reading public is increasingly turning to digital books."
Synonyms: literate, studious, bookish (often used as an adjective for people)
Antonyms: illiterate, unread
Examples of Use
Books:
"Throughout the novel, the protagonist's love for reading provides an escape from her mundane life, leading her to discover new worlds and ideas." (Fictional example consistent with common literary themes)
"The author's profound insights into human nature often require a careful reading to fully grasp their depth."
Newspapers:
"The latest economic readings indicate a steady growth in the manufacturing sector, defying earlier predictions of a slowdown." (The Daily Nation)
"In a public statement, the mayor offered his reading of the recent public outcry, acknowledging the need for greater transparency." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"A compelling deep reading of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' reveals the enduring relevance of its themes in contemporary society." (Literary Hub)
"Fitness trackers provide users with instant readings of their heart rate and activity levels, encouraging healthier habits." (TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (News/Documentary): "Experts are still analyzing the black box readings from the crashed aircraft to determine the cause of the accident." (CNN)
Podcasts (Literary/Audiobook): "Welcome to 'The Book Nook,' where each episode features a dramatic reading of classic short stories." (Fictional podcast title, but common format)
Video Games: (Often in tutorials or loading screens) "Check your inventory for reading materials that might provide clues for your quest." (Fictional game example)
Music (Song Title/Lyric): "Lost in the silence, just reading between the lines." (Common lyrical motif, not a specific song)
General Public Discourse:
"I spent the entire weekend just reading for pleasure, it was so relaxing." (Common casual conversation)
"My doctor said my blood pressure reading was a bit high, so I need to make some lifestyle changes." (Health-related discussion)
"That's an interesting reading of the situation, but I see it quite differently." (Debate or discussion of perspectives)
"The public reading of the Declaration of Independence is an annual tradition in our town square." (Community event description)
10 Quotes Using Reading
"A capacity, and taste, for reading gives access to whatever has already been discovered by others." (Abraham Lincoln)
"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." (Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!)
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." (Joseph Addison)
"We are all the product of our up-reading." (George Orwell)
"A good book is an event in my life. Reading is my passion." (Eudora Welty)
"To acquire the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the miseries of life." (W. Somerset Maugham)
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." (Ray Bradbury)
"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours." (John Locke)
"Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere." (Mary Schmich)
"Much reading is an oppression of the mind." (Isaac D'Israeli)
Etymology
The word "reading" comes from a very old root in the English language, tracing back to Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066).
The earliest known form of the word, as a noun, was ræding in Old English. This already meant "a reading," or "the act or process of reading," whether silently or aloud. It also referred to "that which is read," like a passage or a lesson.
But to understand "reading" even better, we need to look at its verb form, "to read." In Old English, the verb was rædan (or gerædan). This verb had a broader set of meanings than just what we think of as "reading" today. It meant things like:
To advise or counsel: Think of it like giving "rede" (advice), a word that is still around in some older contexts.
To interpret or guess: This ties into how we "read" a situation or "read" someone's mind, which is about interpreting clues. It's also linked to the word "riddle," which is something to be interpreted or guessed.
To arrange or guide.
And, of course, to observe and understand the meaning of something written or to utter words aloud.
So, the original idea behind "reading" wasn't just about looking at letters on a page. It carried a sense of making sense of something, interpreting it, or receiving advice from it. Over time, the meaning narrowed, especially in English, to focus specifically on the act of understanding written symbols. Most other European languages use words for "reading" that come from a root meaning "to gather up," but English's "read" stands out with its origin in "counsel" and "interpret."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Reading
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "reading":
Reading between the lines: To understand the unstated meaning or hidden implications.
To take a reading: To obtain data or a measurement from an instrument.
A close reading: A detailed and careful analysis of a text.
To get a reading on someone/something: To assess someone's mood or intentions, or to gauge a situation.
Light reading: Material that is easy to understand and does not require much concentration.
Heavy reading: Material that is complex, academic, or requires significant effort to understand.
Speed reading: The skill of quickly absorbing written information.
Reading material: Anything written or printed that can be read (books, magazines, documents, etc.).
Required reading: Material that must be read, typically for a course or job.
To give a public reading: To recite a text (poem, story, etc.) aloud to an audience.
Bedtime reading: Material read just before going to sleep.
To do some reading up on something: To research or learn more about a particular topic.
A second reading: A re-examination or re-interpretation of a text or situation. (Often used in legislative contexts for a bill.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of reading from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
