What does "report" mean?
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
Report
/ɹɪˈpɔːt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
- Grammar: report is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: account, accidental, acclaim, account.
- Useful contrasts: conceal, conceal the capital, concealment.
- Usage evidence: I prefer to look for a solution to problems, not only to report them.
How to use "report"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "report" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "report" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "report" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "report" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "report" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "account" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "report", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
"A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem."
- 2 the general estimation that the public has for a person wordnet
- 3 Reputation.
"I love thee in such sort / As, thou being mine, mine is thy good report."
- 4 an essay (especially one written as an assignment) wordnet
- 5 The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
"While their masters, the mates, seemed afraid of the sound of the hinges of their own jaws, the harpooneers chewed their food with such a relish that there was a report to it."
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a short account of the news wordnet
- 7 An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
"The revelation that boss of one year Laurent Freixe was conducting an undisclosed affair with a direct report has rocked a 159-year-old conglomerate that pioneered infant formula and milk chocolate before growing to become the world's largest food and beverage company."
- 8 the act of informing by verbal report wordnet
- 9 a written document describing the findings of some individual or group wordnet
- 10 a written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment wordnet
- 11 a sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing) wordnet
Verb
- 1 To relate details of (an event or incident); to recount, describe (something). intransitive, transitive
"Many of these classic methods are still used, with some modern improvements. For example, with the aid of special microphones and automated sound detection software, ornithologists recently reported[…]that pine siskins (Spinus pinus) undergo an irregular, nomadic type of nocturnal migration."
- 2 to give an account or representation of in words wordnet
- 3 To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.). transitive
- 4 make known to the authorities wordnet
- 5 To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal. obsolete, reflexive
"thenne they ansuerd by and by that they coude not excuse the quene /[…]/ Allas sayd the quene I made this dyner for a good entente / and neuer for none euyl soo almyghty god me help in my ryght as I was neuer purposed to doo suche euylle dedes / and that I reporte me vnto god"
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 complain about; make a charge against wordnet
- 7 To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of. formal, transitive
"For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station."
- 8 announce one's presence wordnet
- 9 To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone). transitive
"If you do that again I'll report you to the boss."
- 10 announce as the result of an investigation or experience or finding wordnet
- 11 To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself. intransitive
- 12 be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism wordnet
- 13 To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter. ambitransitive
"Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster."
- 14 To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy). intransitive
"The financial director reports to the CEO."
- 15 To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred. dated
"The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry."
- 16 To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
- 17 To refer. obsolete
"Baldwine his ſonne, the fourth of that name [Baldwin IV of Jerusalem], ſucceeded his father [Amalric of Jerusalem]: ſo like unto him, that we report the reader to the character of King Almerick, and will ſpare the repeating his description."
- 18 To return or repeat, as sound; to echo. ambitransitive, obsolete, rare
"a church with windows only from above[…] that reporteth the voice twelve or thirteen times"
- 19 Of a ship, to return to a port.
"Our ship leaves port on Monday and will re-port on Friday."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I prefer to look for a solution to problems, not only to report them."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "report"?
Common synonyms include: account, accidental, acclaim, account, account, account rendered.
How do you use "report" in a sentence?
I prefer to look for a solution to problems, not only to report them.
How do you pronounce "report"?
Pronounced /ɹɪˈpɔːt/.
Etymology
From Middle English reporten, from Anglo-Norman reporter, from Latin reportāre (“to carry back, return, remit, refer”), from re- + portāre.