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

The black-and-white film features Bellucci reciting Callas’ letters to lovers, teachers and friends, melding footage of the actress on stage with archival reels of Callas at her peak. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 18 June 2024

Lester recited the Beatitudes in a public speaking competition. —Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 16 June 2024

After the pair hugged and Robillard wiped tears from Ford's face, the NFL star recited words to her before getting down on one knee and presenting her with a ring. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 June 2024

The software generated the correct answers and recited them to the student through an earpiece. —Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 12 June 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