How Do You Spell REED?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈiːd] (IPA)

The word "reed" is spelled as /riːd/ in IPA, representing the pronunciation of the word. It starts with a voiced alveolar approximant /r/ and ends with a voiced dental fricative /ð/. The middle sound is a long vowel /iː/. The spelling of the word "reed" is considered regular, following the "ee" vowel combination rule indicating a long vowel sound. The word can refer to either a thin, tall grass or a musical instrument made from a hollow stem.

REED Meaning and Definition

  1. Reed refers to a tall, slender, and flexible plant that commonly grows in wetland areas, marshes, or riverbanks. It typically belongs to the grass family Poaceae or the sedge family Cyperaceae, and there are numerous species recognized as reeds. These plants are characterized by their hollow, cylindrical stems, which are usually jointed and marked by regular nodes or segments.

    Moreover, the term "reed" also widely encompasses the stems (stipes) of certain other plants, such as some bamboo varieties. These stems function as a vital component in various applications, including thatching, basket weaving, musical instruments, papermaking, and more.

    In addition to their utilitarian purposes, reeds hold ecological importance in wetland ecosystems. They play a crucial role in stabilizing riverbanks, acting as natural flood barriers, and providing habitats for various animal species. Birds, in particular, often use reeds as nesting sites, while amphibians and insects take shelter in their dense vegetation.

    The word "reed" can also be used metaphorically to describe a musical instrument, known as a reed instrument, that produces sound through the vibration of a reed within its mouthpiece. Examples of reed instruments include the clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon.

    Overall, reeds serve as versatile plants, offering practical, environmental, and artistic uses, making them an integral part of both natural and human-made landscapes.

  2. • Red.
    • A name common to many aquatic plants which have jointed hollow stems; the little mouthpiece of some musical instruments; the tongue-pieces of certain wind instruments; certain stops in an organ; that part of a loom which keeps the threads apart in the operation of weaving.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for REED *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for REED

Etymology of REED

The word "reed" has its origins in Old English. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "ritu", which means "reed". This term is believed to have been borrowed from the Proto-Indo-European root *reit-, meaning "to tie" or "bind". The word has undergone various changes throughout history, but its fundamental meaning as a type of plant with a tall, slender stalk has remained consistent.

Idioms with the word REED

  • reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall The idiom "reed before the wind lives on, while mighty oaks do fall" means that flexible and adaptable individuals or things are more likely to survive and succeed compared to those that are rigid and inflexible. It suggests that being able to bend and adjust to changing circumstances is a valuable trait for long-term success, whereas those who are rigid and resistant to change may struggle and eventually fail.
  • a broken reed The idiom "a broken reed" refers to a person, plan, or thing that is unreliable or weak when relied upon for support or assistance. It suggests that the individual or idea will not be able to provide the expected help or support and may even cause further problems or setbacks.
  • broken reed The idiom "broken reed" refers to a person or thing that cannot be relied upon or counted on for support or assistance, usually due to being weak, unreliable, or ineffective.

Similar spelling words for REED

Plural form of REED is REEDS

Conjugate verb Reed

CONDITIONAL

I would reed
you would reed
he/she/it would reed
we would reed
they would reed

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be reeding
you would be reeding
he/she/it would be reeding
we would be reeding
they would be reeding

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have reed
you would have reed
he/she/it would have reed
we would have reed
they would have reed

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been reeding
you would have been reeding
he/she/it would have been reeding
we would have been reeding
they would have been reeding

FUTURE

I will reed
you will reed
he/she/it will reed
we will reed
they will reed

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be reeding
you will be reeding
he/she/it will be reeding
we will be reeding
they will be reeding

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have reeded
you will have reeded
he/she/it will have reeded
we will have reeded
they will have reeded

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been reeding
you will have been reeding
he/she/it will have been reeding
we will have been reeding
they will have been reeding

IMPERATIVE

you reed
we let´s reed

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to reed

PAST

I reeded
you reeded
he/she/it reeded
we reeded
they reeded

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was reeding
you were reeding
he/she/it was reeding
we were reeding
they were reeding

PAST PARTICIPLE

reeded

PAST PERFECT

I had reeded
you had reeded
he/she/it had reeded
we had reeded
they had reeded

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been reeding
you had been reeding
he/she/it had been reeding
we had been reeding
they had been reeding

PRESENT

I reed
you reed
he/she/it reeds
we reed
they reed

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am reeding
you are reeding
he/she/it is reeding
we are reeding
they are reeding

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

reeding

PRESENT PERFECT

I have reeded
you have reeded
he/she/it has reeded
we have reeded
they have reeded

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been reeding
you have been reeding
he/she/it has been reeding
we have been reeding
they have been reeding

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