recipient
ri-SIP-ee-uhnt
/rɪˈsɪpiənt/
A person or thing that receives or is awarded something.
Focuses on the act of receiving, whether it is a physical package, an award, an organ transplant, or advice.
The story behind the word. Recipient flows from the Latin 'recipientem', the present participle of 'recipere', meaning 'to receive' or 'to take back'. This is a compound of 're-' (back) and 'capere' (to take), suggesting the act of taking something that has been sent toward you.
Word relationships
- receiver: Receiver is more informal and can also refer to a telephone handset or a technical device, while recipient is more formal and personal.
- addressee: The addressee is the person named on the envelope; the recipient is the person who actually takes possession of it.
- donor: A donor gives something, while a recipient receives it.
- sender: A sender transmits something, while a recipient receives it.
Commonly confused with
- beneficiary: A beneficiary specifically receives a benefit, advantage, or inheritance, whereas a recipient simply receives any object, message, or award.
Word family
- recipience (noun): The state or quality of being receptive.
- recipiently (adverb): In a receptive manner.
Collocations
- intended recipient
- award recipient
- recipient of
- mail recipient
Example sentences
- "She was the proud recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian efforts." Award ceremony
- "The courier required the signature of the recipient before handing over the valuable parcel." Delivery confirmation
Memory hook
A recipient is the one who 'receives' the 'receipt' after taking the package. Recipient: The receiver of the shipment.
When not to use
Do not use when you specifically mean the person to whom a letter is addressed but who has not yet received it (use 'addressee' instead).
Fun facts
- In medical science, the term 'recipient' is specifically used for someone who receives a donor organ or blood transfusion, highlighting the life-saving nature of receiving.
Explore more words
philanthropist, philanthropic, bestow, charitable, beneficiary, requital
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