recite

1 of 2

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

reciter

2 of 2

noun

re·​cit·​er

ri-ˈsī-tər

: one that recites

Synonyms of recite

Verb

• describe
• tell
• narrate
• recount
• relate
• chronicle

Examples of recite in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Pope can recite chapter and verse on the differences between the TRO rulings in the case brought in California versus Ohio. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026

According to a local tradition, pilgrims recite a prayer and circle the poles three times counterclockwise, which is believed to help the spirits hear them. — Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

As the plane was plunging toward the ground, a man's voice could be heard reciting the Lord's Prayer in the background. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

As the plane plunged, a man’s voice could be heard reciting the Lord’s Prayer in the background of the co-pilot’s final radio transmissions to air traffic control. — Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

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

Rhymes for recite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

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