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 of recite

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

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

Harrison has also started singing again, reciting word-for-word the lyrics of old 1970s hits. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2026

The body is cleaned and prepared in the Muslim tradition, as the family takes one last look before the burial, while hired men recite the Koran. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

Following her exchange with Lieu, Bondi recited crime statistics from California. —CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026

But being ready for school involves a lot more than a child’s ability to count or recite their ABCs. —Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026

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

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