Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

rid

verb
\ ˈrid \
rid also ridded; ridding

Definition of rid

transitive verb

1 archaic : save, rescue
2 : to make free : relieve, disencumber rid the complexion of blemishes be rid of worries get rid of that junk
Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about rid

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of rid in a Sentence

worked two jobs to rid himself of debt

First Known Use of rid

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for rid

Middle English ridden to clear, probably from Old English *ryddan; akin to Old High German riutan to clear land, Old Norse rythja

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about rid

Dictionary Entries near rid

ricotta

rictal

rictus

rid

ridability

riddance

riddel

Statistics for rid

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for rid

The first known use of rid was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for rid

rid

verb
\ ˈrid \
rid also ridded; ridding

Kids Definition of rid

: to free from something : relieve A shampoo rid the dog of fleas.

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on rid

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with rid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rid

Spanish Central: Translation of rid

Nglish: Translation of rid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of rid for Arabic Speakers

Comments on rid

What made you want to look up rid? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

substantive

important, real, or meaningful

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games