rid
Forms
- present (v1)
- rid
- past (v2)
- rid
- past participle (v3)
- rid
- present participle
- ridding
- 3rd person singular
- rids
Definitions
1.Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
- We’re trying to rid the world of poverty.
- I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.
- I am therefore setting out for Ireland; and it is one comfort to me, that I am ridding you of a troublesome companion.
2.Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).
- Worst of all though were the leeches. The soldiers had managed to rid them from the camp interiors, but once you ventured out on patrol and into the wetlands, they were everywhere.
3.Often followed by from, of, or out of: to free or release, or to rescue or save, (oneself or someone, or something).
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2574
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English ridden (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear; to complete (something unfinished); to free (someone or something); to relieve (someone); etc.”), probably from Old English *ryddan (“to remove debris, obstructions, etc., from (a place), to clear”) (the past participle form ġeryd is attested), from Proto-Germanic *riudijaną (“to clear”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hrewdʰ- (“to clear land”), or possibly from *Hrew- (“to dig out, tear out; to open; to acquire”). The verb was probably also influenced by the following: