reception - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
reception Word Meanings
- the act of receiving something
- a formal gathering where guests are welcomed
- the way in which something is received or perceived
reception Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
reception Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
//rɪˈsɛpʃən//
US
//rɪˈsɛpʃən//
reception Word Etymology
reception = re- (back) + cept (to seize) → Latin ‘receptio’ (to take back) → Old French ‘reception’ → English. Imagine a warm reception with open arms, welcoming guests back into a space.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
You push open the glass door and move into the warm lobby, your shoes tapping on the tile. You hold out a card and place it on the desk, feeling the air shift as the receptionist smiles and the room buzzes with chatter. You adjust your posture, a quick turn of the head and a small shift in weight as you listen, letting the moment settle around you. The warmth of the welcome and the way your words land feel real, a moment you respond to rather than a label.
Real Context
Reception has three closely related meanings in English. It can be the act of receiving something, such as the reception of an email or a gift; it can refer to a formal social event where guests are welcomed, like a wedding reception or a university reception; and it can describe how something is received or perceived, as in the reception of news or a new idea. The word comes from Latin receptio and French reception and appears in phrases like hotel reception or reception desk. In everyday speech, you might hear 'warm reception' to describe a friendly greeting, or 'mixed reception' to describe people’s varied responses.
Usage Reminders
- - Identify the three senses of reception (receiving, event, perception)
- - Don't translate 'reception' as a single concept in every context
- - Learn collocations: warm reception, mixed reception, reception desk
- - Distinguish reception from receptionist in everyday speech
- - Practice with hotel, event, and news contexts
Common Misconceptions
- Reception only means a party or a party setting.
- Reception and receptionist are the same thing.
- Reception always refers to the act of receiving a person.
- You cannot use reception to talk about how information is received.
- Front desk equals reception in all contexts.
Thinking Differences
Reception in English often blends tangible places (front desks) with abstract responses (how something is received). Learners should be aware of both the concrete and figurative senses and use context clues to pick the right meaning.
Learning Tips
- Practice distinguishing the three senses with real contexts.
- Learn collocations: warm reception, mixed reception, reception desk.
- Differentiate reception from receptionist in everyday speech.
- Use hotel, event, and news contexts to reinforce meanings.
- Study phrasal patterns like 'be met with' and 'receive/receiving'.
- Check translations in dictionaries for context-specific meanings.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'reception'?
A.Laziness
B.Harsh or unkind behavior
C.The act of receiving or being received
D.Confusion or chaos
Step 2: Usage
How is 'reception' used in a sentence?
A.The confusion at the reception caused delays
B.He was very lazy when it came to the reception of guests
C.She showed great reception to the new ideas
D.The harsh reception made everyone uncomfortable
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'reception'?
A.Disorganization
B.Rejection
C.Welcome
D.Indifference
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'reception'?
A.Admission
B.Refusal
C.Approval
D.Acceptance
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context might you encounter the word 'reception'?
A.In a conflict resolution workshop
B.During a competition
C.At a wedding reception
D.At a movie theater
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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