recite

verb

re·​cite ri-ˈsīt How to pronounce recite (audio)
recited; reciting
Synonyms of recitenext

transitive verb

1
: to repeat from memory or read aloud publicly
2
a
: to relate in full
recites dull anecdotes
b
: to give a recital of : detail
recited a catalog of offenses
3
: to repeat or answer questions about (a lesson)

intransitive verb

1
: to repeat or read aloud something memorized or prepared
2
: to reply to a teacher's question on a lesson
reciter noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of recite in a Sentence

He recited the poem with great feeling. He began to recite from the Koran. He can easily recite all the facts about any player on the team.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once the camera’s red light goes on, Amaarae slips the device away and recites her questions from memory. — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025 The bride and groom recited their vows and exchanged candy rings, and then there was lots of dancing and celebrating. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025 Outside, the glasses also accurately recognized and translated a Spanish-language sermon a street preacher was reciting through a speaker system across the street. — PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025 The fourth-year manager possesses a heightened ability to recite specific plays from specific games even months or years later. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recite

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to relate, state, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French reciter, from Latin recitare to recite, from re- + citare to summon — more at cite

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recite was in the 15th century

Rhymes for recite

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Browse Nearby Words

recitativo
recite
reciting note
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recite. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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Kids Definition

recite

verb
re·​cite ri-ˈsīt How to pronounce recite (audio)
recited; reciting
1
: to repeat from memory or read aloud before an audience
recite a poem
2
: to tell all the details of
3
: to answer questions about a lesson
reciter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on recite

Nglish: Translation of recite for Spanish Speakers

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