report

ri-PORT/ɹɪˈpoɹt/UKri-PAWT/ɹɪˈpɔːt/

Pluralreports

Verbreports, reporting, reported

15 meanings of report

Practice

1
written accountnouncountable
A written or spoken account of events, given or presented to someone.
Like telling someone the whole story of what happened, but written down.
The teacher asked us to write a report about our class trip.
Her report on the accident was clear and easy to follow.
UsageSay a report on or about something.
Similaraccount, statement, review, summary, record
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To tell people what happened, or what you saw, heard, or found out.
Like telling a friend the whole story of what you saw.
Many people report feeling better after a short walk.
She reported back to us about the trip.
UsageSay report that something happened, or report back to someone.
3
cover newsverbtransitive or intransitive
To gather news and write or talk about it as a journalist.
Like being the person who tells everyone the news on TV.
She reports for a local television station.
The news team flew out to report on the fires.
UsageSay report on a story, report from a place, report for a newspaper.
Similarcover, write, broadcast
4
tell authoritiesverbformaltransitive
To tell the police or someone in charge about a crime, a problem, or a person who did something wrong.
Like telling a teacher when you see someone breaking the rules.
She reported the theft to the police.
You should report any unsafe machines to your manager.
UsageSay report something to the police or to your boss.
5
answer to bossverbintransitive
To work under someone and answer to them in a company or team.
Like a player who answers to the team coach.
All the sales staff report to the new manager.
She reported directly to the company president.
UsageSay report to your boss.
Similaranswer
6
verbtransitive
To send back findings or advice after a group has studied a question given to it.
The committee will report the bill back to the full house next week.
The committee will report the bill back to the Senate next week.
Similarsubmit, present, return
Note

Less common meanings

7
show upverbintransitive
To show up at a set place and time when you are told to.
Like showing up to class as soon as the bell rings.
New students report to the main office on their first day.
He reported for duty at six in the morning.
UsageSay report to the office, or report for work.
Similarappear, arrive
8
team membernouncountable
A worker who answers to a particular manager and follows their direction.
Like a player who takes orders from the team captain.
Sam is my newest report, and I am training him this week.
She has six reports on her team this year.
UsageOften said as direct report.
Similarsubordinate
Oppositesuperior, manager
Note
9
bangnouncountable
The sharp, loud bang made by a gun or an explosion.
Like the sudden bang of a balloon popping, but much louder.
The report of the rifle echoed across the valley.
We heard a loud report just before the smoke appeared.
UsageOften the report of a gun.
Similarbang, crack, blast, boom, shot
Note
10
school gradesnounUKcountablebritish
A written note sent from school to parents at set times, about a child's grades, progress and behavior.
Her school report said she was doing well in reading but talked too much in class.
Tom was nervous about showing his parents his end-of-term report.
UsageIn the US it is called a report card.
Note
11
write down speechverbtransitive
To write down what a speaker says, word for word.
Her job is to report every word said in court, using a special machine.
In the old days, clerks used shorthand to report each speech word for word.
Similartranscribe, record
12
reputationnounliterary
What people generally say or think about someone or something.
I love thee in such sort / As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report.
1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 36”
Certain it is that if he had been daft before, he now ran wild in his pranks, and an evil report of him was in every mouth.
1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide
UsageUsually with a word like good or evil: good report.
Similarreputation, repute, standing, name
Note
13
verbobsoletereflexive
To go to someone for help, advice, or support.
Note
14
verbobsolete
To point a matter or person toward another for an answer.
Note
15
verbobsoletetransitive or intransitive
To echo a sound, sending it back to the listener.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of report apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin reportāre, meaning "to carry back," made from re- plus portāre ("to carry"). It came into English through French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts

Report ultimately derives from Latin reportāre through French. en.wiktionary.org
Latin reportāre means to carry back. en.wiktionary.org
Latin reportāre combines re- and portāre. en.wiktionary.org
Latin portāre means to carry. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through French. en.wiktionary.org