If you are unsure whether the correct spelling is receive or recieve, you are not alone. The correct form is receive. Recieve is a common spelling mistake and is not accepted as the standard English spelling.
The verb receive means to get, accept, or be given something. For example, “I will receive the package tomorrow.” The confusion often comes from the letter order ei and the familiar spelling rule “I before E except after C.”
This guide explains the correct spelling, word origin, pronunciation, British and American usage, common mistakes, everyday examples, and an easy way to remember receive.
Quick Answer
Receive is the correct spelling. Recieve is incorrect.
Examples:
- Correct: I will receive your email today.
- Incorrect: I will recieve your email today.
Receive means to get, accept, or take something that is given or sent to you.
“Did you receive my message?”
Here, receive means get.
The Origin of Receive
The word receive comes through Old French receivre from Latin recipere, meaning “to take back, take in, or accept.” Over time, the spelling developed into the modern English form receive. (etymonline.com)
The word contains the sequence:
C + EI
That spelling is important because it explains why recieve is incorrect.
The incorrect spelling usually happens when writers reverse the e and i:
receive → correct
recieve → incorrect
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British English and American English for receive.
| English Variety | Correct Spelling | Incorrect Spelling |
| British English | receive | recieve |
| American English | receive | recieve |
| Canadian English | receive | recieve |
| Australian English | receive | recieve |
Both British and American English use receive.
For example:
- British English: I received your letter yesterday.
- American English: I received your letter yesterday.
The spelling remains the same.
Pronunciation of Receive
Receive is pronounced approximately:
ri-SEEV
Cambridge gives the pronunciation as /rɪˈsiːv/. (dictionary.cambridge.org)
The first syllable sounds like ri, while the second sounds like seev.
The pronunciation does not clearly tell you whether the middle letters should be ei or ie. That is one reason the spelling can cause problems.
Forms of the verb include:
- receive
- receives
- received
- receiving
Notice that the spelling pattern changes slightly in receiving, where the final e is dropped before -ing.
Why People Confuse Receive or Recieve
The main problem is the order of i and e.
Many English learners remember the familiar spelling rule:
“I before E except after C.”
Because receive comes after c, the rule points to:
C + EI → receive
However, English has many exceptions, so this rule should not be treated as perfect.
The confusion can also come from:
- Similar-looking words
- Fast typing
- Remembering the vowel order incorrectly
- Pronunciation not revealing the spelling
- Mixing ei and ie patterns
The safest approach is to remember the spelling of receive itself.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use receive in all standard English writing.
It is correct in:
- American English
- British English
- Canadian English
- Australian English
- Academic writing
- Professional writing
- Emails
- Business documents
- Social media
- Everyday communication
Avoid recieve because it is a spelling error.
For formal or professional writing, always proofread the word carefully.
Common Mistakes with Receive or Recieve
| Incorrect | Correct |
| recieve | receive |
| receeve | receive |
| receve | receive |
| recive | receive |
| receveing | receiving |
| recieving | receiving |
The most common mistake is recieve, where the i and e are reversed.
Remember:
receive ✅
recieve ❌
Receive in Everyday Examples
“I received your email this morning.”
Here, receive means get.
News
“The company received thousands of applications.”
The company got or obtained the applications.
Social Media
“I received a lot of comments on my post.”
The person got comments from other users.
Formal Writing
“Applicants will receive a confirmation email.”
The applicants will get an email confirming something.
Everyday Conversation
“Did you receive the package?”
The speaker is asking whether the other person got the package.
Payment
“We received your payment.”
This means the payment arrived and was accepted by the recipient.
Easy Trick to Remember Receive
The easiest trick is:
I Before E, Except After C
In receive, the ei comes after c:
rec + ei + ve
So:
receive ✅
Not:
recieve ❌
You can also remember this phrase:
After C, use EI.
Examples include:
- receive
- deceive
- conceive
- perceive
This is a useful spelling pattern, although English has exceptions.
Another helpful trick is to remember:
RECEIVE = C + EI
Receive or Recieve – Google Trends & Usage Data
People regularly search for receive or recieve because the two spellings look very similar. The incorrect form appears as a common spelling error, while receive is the established dictionary form.
There is no British-versus-American spelling difference. Both varieties use receive.
Dictionary sources such as Cambridge and Merriam-Webster list receive as the standard English verb. (dictionary.cambridge.org)
Google search interest can vary by country and time, so exact trend numbers should be checked for a specific region and date range rather than treated as permanent statistics.
Receive vs Related Words
| Word | Meaning | Example |
| Receive | Get or be given something | I received a gift. |
| Accept | Agree to take something | She accepted the offer. |
| Get | Obtain or come to have something | I got your message. |
| Obtain | Get something, often through effort | He obtained permission. |
| Acquire | Gain or obtain something | She acquired new skills. |
Receive and accept are related but not identical.
You can receive an offer without accepting it.
“I received the offer, but I did not accept it.”
FAQs
Is it receive or recieve?
Receive is correct. Recieve is a misspelling.
How do you spell receive?
The correct spelling is:
R-E-C-E-I-V-E
Why is receive spelled with EI?
The ei follows the c, which fits the common spelling rule “I before E except after C.”
Is recieve a word?
No. Recieve is not the standard English spelling. The correct form is receive.
Is receive spelled differently in British English?
No. British and American English both spell the word receive.
What does receive mean?
Receive means to get, accept, or be given something.
For example:
“I received a letter.”
This means the letter was sent to me and I got it.
What is the easiest way to remember receive?
Remember “After C, use EI.” This gives you receive, not recieve.
Key Takeaway
Receive is the correct spelling, while recieve is incorrect. The verb means to get, accept, or be given something.
Both British and American English use the same spelling. The easiest memory trick is “I before E except after C” or simply “After C, use EI.”
When writing emails, academic work, professional documents, or everyday messages, always use receive.
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Hi, I am Mary Norris, and I write clear and insightful grammar blogs on Syntaxiffy.com.
On Syntaxiffy.com, I focus on English grammar, usage, and writing accuracy to help readers improve their language skills.
