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Added 7 October 2026

rid

/ɹɪd/ verb

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about rid at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.
Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.
Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).

adjective

Chiefly of a place: which has been ridded (etymology 1, verb sense 1.4.1) or cleared; rid-up.

noun

Progress which has been made; also, speed.
Loose earth, rubble, etc., on the surface of a quarry which must be removed before digging can begin; rid-work.

adjective

As the second word in a compound: synonym of ridden (“full of; also, dominated, oppressed, or plagued by”).
Only in well-rid: of a horse: ridden.

Origin

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”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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