receive

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To get or be given something that is sent or offered.

   He received many presents for his birthday.

2. 2
   verb

   To take and accept something that is offered.

   She received the award with a smile.

3. 3
   verb

   To react to or be treated in a particular way.

   The writer's new collection of poems was not well received.

4. 4
   verb

   To welcome and let someone into your home or presence.

   The community warmly received the refugees.

Common collocations

• receive a letter Verb + noun
• receive a bill Verb + noun
• receive a call Verb + noun
• receive a message Verb + noun
• receive a mention Verb + noun
• receive an honor Verb + noun
• receive an offer Verb + noun
• receive applause Verb + noun
• receive care Verb + noun
• receive notice Verb + noun
• receive support Verb + noun

From Middle English receyven, from Old French receivre, from Latin recipere (“take back, accept, etc.”), from re- (“back”) + capiō (“to take”); see capacious. Compare conceive, deceive, perceive. Displaced native Middle English terms in -fon/-fangen (e.g. afon, anfon, afangen, underfangen, etc. "to receive" from Old English -fōn), native Middle English thiggen (“to receive”) (from Old English þiċġan), and non-native Middle English aquilen, enquilen (“to receive”) (from Old French aquillir, encueillir).

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