receive
/rɪˈsiːv/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈsiːv/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈsēv/ (ame, mw)
receive — verb
1. to have something come into your possession when someone gives it, sends it, or
to have something come into your possession when someone gives it, sends it, or pays it to you.
Christopher received a letter from his grandmother in Taiwan yesterday.
receive + noun phrase + from + noun phrase
The charity received over ten thousand dollars in donations last month.
passive alternative: was received; theme of donation
Yuna received a scholarship to study marine biology at the university.
Every participant received a certificate and a small gift after the workshop.
The hospital received an urgent delivery of medical supplies this morning.
文法句型
receive + noun phrase
be received + by + noun phrase
receive + noun phrase + from + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive constructions (be received by) when the giver is the focus. The giver is introduced by from or by.
常見錯誤
2. when a device such as a television, radio, or mobile phone picks up broadcast wa
when a device such as a television, radio, or mobile phone picks up broadcast waves and turns them into sound, images, or data that you can use.
The old television cannot receive digital signals without a special converter box.
device + receive + signal
Our new antenna helps the radio receive stations from over a hundred miles away.
The weather station receives temperature data from sensors placed across the mountain range.
Brandon's phone could not receive any signal while he was hiking in the canyon.
- pick up
less formal; can imply the signal was weak or hard to get
文法句型
device + receive + noun phrase
receive + signal / channel / broadcast / data
用法筆記
Subject is usually a device (radio, TV, phone, antenna, satellite dish). Common objects: signal, channel, broadcast, transmission, data.
常見錯誤
3. to hear and understand a spoken message that someone sends to you by radio or si
to hear and understand a spoken message that someone sends to you by radio or similar communication equipment.
The pilot received a warning from air traffic control about the approaching storm.
receive + message / instruction + from + source
Isabela could not receive the rescue team's message because of the static interference.
The ship's captain received navigation instructions from the port authority clearly.
Tariq pressed the transmit button and said, 'I am receiving you loud and clear.'
- hear
general; does not imply the message was sent by radio
- transmit
to send a radio message, the opposite of receiving one
文法句型
receive + noun phrase + from + noun phrase
receive + message / transmission / call
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (TV/RADIO SIGNALS): sense 3 focuses on a human listener hearing a human speaker's voice, not on device functionality. Common in aviation, maritime, and emergency contexts.
常見錯誤
4. in team sports such as football, basketball, or rugby, to take control of a ball
in team sports such as football, basketball, or rugby, to take control of a ball that a teammate has thrown, kicked, or hit towards you.
The midfielder ran forward and received the ball from a quick throw-in.
receive + the ball + from + source
Hao received a long pass and scored the winning goal in the final minute.
The basketball player received the ball near the basket and made an easy layup.
Dewi received the rugby ball and sprinted forty metres before being tackled.
- pass
to send the ball to a teammate
文法句型
receive + the ball / a pass / a kick
receive + noun phrase + from + teammate
用法筆記
Common in football (soccer), American football, basketball, rugby, and hockey. The object is always a ball or a specific type of pass (throw-in, hand-off, cross).
常見錯誤
5. in tennis, volleyball, badminton and similar sports, to hit back the ball your o
in tennis, volleyball, badminton and similar sports, to hit back the ball your opponent sends across the net to begin a point.
Shirin received the serve and returned the ball down the line for a winner.
receive + the serve
Mert struggled to receive the fast serves from his opponent during the championship match.
The volleyball player received the serve and passed the ball perfectly to the setter.
In the final game, Nellie received every serve and won the point each time.
- return
more active; implies hitting the ball back, not just taking it
- serve
the action of hitting the ball to start the point
文法句型
receive + the serve / service
player + receive + noun phrase + from + opponent
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (TEAM SPORTS PASS): sense 5 involves receiving from an opponent at the start of a point, not from a teammate during open play. The player is called the receiver. Common in tennis, badminton, volleyball, squash, and cricket.
常見錯誤
6. to greet someone who arrives at your home, office, or event and look after them,
to greet someone who arrives at your home, office, or event and look after them, especially in a formal or official way.
The ambassador received the visiting delegates at the embassy entrance with a firm handshake.
receive + guest/visitor at [place]
Sirin received the wedding guests at the door and showed them to their seats.
The president received the foreign leaders in the grand hall of the presidential palace.
The hotel manager received each guest personally and offered them a cold drink.
Andrew's family received the exchange student warmly on her first evening in their home.
- turn away
to refuse to welcome someone
文法句型
receive + guest / visitor / delegate
receive + noun phrase + at + place
用法筆記
More formal than welcome or greet. Often used in diplomatic, corporate, hospitality, and official social contexts. Can describe both professional hospitality and personal hosting.
常見錯誤
7. to be at a place such as a station, airport, or doorway at the moment someone ar
to be at a place such as a station, airport, or doorway at the moment someone arrives, in order to greet them or help them with their luggage.
Omar's aunt went to the airport to receive him after his flight from Cairo.
receive + person at airport / station
The hotel staff received the tour group at the entrance with cool towels and drinks.
receive + group at a venue
Min stood at the bus stop to receive her grandmother, who was visiting for the holiday.
A driver was sent to receive the guests at the railway station and take them to the hotel.
- see off
to be at a place when someone leaves, rather than when they arrive
文法句型
receive + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
In everyday speech, 'meet' or 'pick up' is more common than 'receive' for this sense. 'Receive' sounds slightly more formal and is often used in written travel or hospitality contexts.
常見錯誤
8. to respond to something such as a speech, suggestion, or event with a specific a
to respond to something such as a speech, suggestion, or event with a specific attitude or emotion that reveals your view of it — for instance, receiving a proposal with enthusiasm or a joke with silence.
The CEO's new plan was received warmly by the staff, who had been hoping for change.
passive: was received + adverb (warmly)
Kabir's joke was received in silence, and he realised he had offended everyone at the table.
The community received the news of the factory closure with anger and disappointment.
Critics received the young novelist's first book poorly, but readers loved it.
When the proposal was received with enthusiasm, the team felt encouraged to continue their work.
文法句型
be received + adverb (well / badly / warmly / positively)
receive + noun phrase + adverb
用法筆記
This sense is very common in the passive voice ('be received + adverb'). The adverb is essential — without it the sentence sounds incomplete when expressing a reaction. Active voice also works: 'They received the news calmly.'
常見錯誤
9. to formally welcome someone into an organization, society, or religious body so
to formally welcome someone into an organization, society, or religious body so that they become part of it through an official process or ceremony.
After six months of training, the novices were received into the order at a special ceremony.
passive: be received into [institution/order]
The club received three new members last month after a vote by the existing members.
active: club + receive + members
Élise was received as a full partner in the law firm after five years of hard work.
The church congregation gathered to receive the new families into their community.
文法句型
be received into + organization
be received as + member/novice
receive + person + into + group
用法筆記
Frequently passive. The preposition 'into' is the most common complement ('received into the church / society / club'), while 'as' introduces the status granted ('received as a member / brother / novice'). Active voice ('The committee received him as a member') is less common but acceptable.