recite

verb

re·​cite ri-ˈsīt 

recited; reciting

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

• chart
• chronicle
• describe
• narrate
• recount
• rehearse
• relate
• report
• tell

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

Each person sang a traditional song, recited its lyrics, played an instrumental version of its melody, then described its meaning. —Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

In the clip for the seminal crime-comedy’s 30th anniversary, Jackson is seen sitting on a couch casually reciting the passage that describes the extent of the Lord’s anger and vengeance. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2024

Rachel recited the autopsy report findings with almost actuarial detail. —Matt Gutman, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2024

Davis recited her speech with the fervor of a monologue, though this was no act. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

recite

verb

re·​cite ri-ˈsīt 

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