Receive vs. Send — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
Receive means to get or accept something, whereas send means to cause something to go or be delivered to another place or person.
Difference Between Receive and Send
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Receive involves the act of getting or accepting something sent or given by someone else. For example, receiving a package means you are the recipient of an item sent by another party. Send, on the other hand, is the act of causing something to go from one place to another, such as sending a letter, where you are the originator of the item being delivered.
Receive implies a passive role where you are the endpoint of a transaction or delivery. When you receive an email, you are the one opening and reading it. Send implies an active role where you initiate the transaction. Sending an email means you are the one composing and dispatching it.
Receive is typically used when the focus is on the end result of getting something. For instance, receiving compliments focuses on the act of obtaining positive feedback. Send focuses on the process of dispatching or transmitting something. Sending compliments means you are the one offering positive feedback to someone else.
Receive can be used in various contexts, including communication, physical deliveries, and abstract concepts like receiving help or information. Send is also versatile, applying to communications, deliveries, and transferring abstract concepts like sending wishes or thoughts.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To get or accept something
To cause something to go or be delivered
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Role
Passive, endpoint
Active, initiator
Focus
End result of obtaining
Process of dispatching
Contexts
Communication, deliveries, abstract
Communication, deliveries, abstract
Examples
Receiving a package, email
Sending a package, email
Compare with Definitions
Receive
To welcome or greet someone.
They received the guests warmly.
Send
To cause something to go to a destination.
I sent a postcard from Paris.
Receive
To experience or be subject to something.
The proposal received widespread support.
Send
To dispatch a communication.
She sent an urgent email to her boss.
Receive
To take or acquire (something given or offered); get or be given
Receive a present.
Send
To cause or prompt an action or response.
The announcement sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Receive
To be the person who gets (something sent or transmitted)
Receive an email.
Send
To convey thoughts, feelings, or wishes.
He sent his best wishes to the newlyweds.
Receive
(Sports) To catch or get possession of (a pass or a kicked ball, for example).
Send
To direct someone to go somewhere.
They sent a team to investigate the issue.
Receive
To have (a title, for example) bestowed on oneself.
Send
To cause to be conveyed by an intermediary to a destination
Send goods by plane.
Receive
To hear or see (information, for example)
Receive bad news.
Send
To dispatch, as by a communications medium
Send a message by radio.
Receive
To perceive or acquire mentally
Receive a bad impression.
Send
To direct to go on a mission
Sent troops into the Middle East.
Receive
To regard with approval or disapproval
Ideas that were received well.
Send
To require or enable to go
Sent her children to college.
Receive
To listen to and acknowledge formally and authoritatively
The judge received their oath of allegiance.
Send
To direct (a person) to a source of information; refer
Sent the student to the reference section of the library.
Receive
To take in and convert (radio waves, for example) into an electrical signal or into an audio or visual output.
Send
To give off (heat, for example); emit or issue
A stove that sends forth great warmth.
Receive
To experience or be subjected to; meet with
Receive sympathetic treatment.
Send
To utter or otherwise emit (sound)
Sent forth a cry of pain.
Receive
To have inflicted or imposed on oneself
Receive a penalty.
Send
To hit so as to direct or propel with force; drive
The batter sent the ball to left field. The slap on my back sent me staggering.
Receive
To bear the weight or force of; support
The beams receive the full weight of the walls and roof.
Send
To cause to take place or occur
We will meet whatever vicissitudes fate may send.
Receive
To take or intercept the impact of (a blow, for example).
Send
To put or drive into a given state or condition
Horrifying news that sent them into a panic.
Receive
To be exposed to or withstand
The hillside cottage receives strong winds.
Send
(Slang) To transport with delight; carry away
That music really sends me.
Receive
To take in, hold, or contain
A tank that receives rainwater.
Send
To dispatch someone to do an errand or convey a message
Let's send out for hamburgers.
Receive
To admit or accept
Receive new members.
Send
To dispatch a request or order, especially by mail
Send away for a new catalogue.
Receive
To greet, welcome, or be visited by
Receive guests.
Send
To transmit a message or messages
The radio operator was still sending when the ship went down.
Receive
To acquire or get something; be a recipient.
Send
Variant of scend.
Receive
To admit or welcome guests or visitors
The couple are not receiving this winter.
Send
To make something (such as an object or message) go from one place to another (or to someone).
Every day at two o'clock, he sends his secretary out to buy him a coffee.
She sends me a letter every month.
Receive
To partake of the Eucharist.
Send
To excite, delight, or thrill (someone).
Receive
To convert incoming electromagnetic signals into sound, light, or electrical signals.
Send
(transitive) To bring to a certain condition.
Receive
(Sports) To receive a pass or a kicked ball, for example.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message or do an errand.
Seeing how ill she was, we sent for a doctor at once.
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, etc.; to accept; to be given something.
She received many presents for her birthday.
Send
(transitive) To cause to be or to happen; to bring, bring about; (archaic) to visit: (Referring to blessing or reward) To bestow; to grant. (Referring to curse or punishment) To inflict. Sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
Receive
(law) To take goods knowing them to be stolen.
Send
To pitch.
Receive
To act as a host for guests; to give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, etc.
To receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
Send
To make a successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
She finally sent the 12a after hours of failed attempts.
Receive
To incur (an injury).
I received a bloody nose from the collision.
Send
To care.
Receive
To allow (a custom, tradition, etc.); to give credence or acceptance to.
Send
(telecommunications) An operation in which data is transmitted.
Receive
(telecommunications) To detect a signal from a transmitter.
Send
An icon (usually on a computer screen and labeled with the word "Send") on which one clicks (with a mouse or its equivalent) or taps to transmit an email or other electronic message.
Good thing I didn't hit send on that resume; I just noticed a bad typo.
Receive
(sports) To be in a position to take possession, or hit back the ball.
Send
(nautical) scend
Receive
To be in a position to hit back a service.
Send
(Scotland) A messenger, especially one sent to fetch the bride.
Receive
(American football) To be in a position to catch a forward pass.
Send
A callout or diss usually aimed at a specific person, often in the form of a diss track.
Receive
To accept into the mind; to understand.
Send
(climbing) A successful ascent of a sport climbing route.
Receive
(telecommunications) An operation in which data is received.
Send
To cause to go in any manner; to dispatch; to commission or direct to go; as, to send a messenger.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.
I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Servants, sent on messages, stay out somewhat longer than the message requires.
Receive
To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter.
Receyven all in gree that God us sent.
Send
To give motion to; to cause to be borne or carried; to procure the going, transmission, or delivery of; as, to send a message.
He . . . sent letters by posts on horseback.
O send out thy light an thy truth; let them lead me.
Receive
Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace.
Our hearts receive your warnings.
The idea of solidity we receive by our touch.
Send
To emit; to impel; to cast; to throw; to hurl; as, to send a ball, an arrow, or the like.
Receive
To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to.
Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots.
Send
To cause to be or to happen; to bestow; to inflict; to grant; - sometimes followed by a dependent proposition.
The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke.
And sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
God send your mission may bring back peace.
Receive
To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.
They kindled a fire, and received us every one.
Send
To dispatch an agent or messenger to convey a message, or to do an errand.
See ye how this son of a murderer hath sent to take away my head?
Receive
To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity for; to be able to take in.
The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings.
Send
To pitch; as, the ship sends forward so violently as to endanger her masts.
Receive
To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage.
Against his will he can receive no harm.
Send
The impulse of a wave by which a vessel is carried bodily.
Receive
To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.
Send
Cause to go somewhere;
The explosion sent the car flying in the air
She sent her children to camp
He directed all his energies into his dissertation
Receive
To bat back (the ball) when served.
Who, if we knewWhat we receive, would either not acceptLife offered, or soon beg to lay it down.
Send
To cause or order to be taken, directed, or transmitted to another place;
He had sent the dispatches downtown to the proper people and had slept
Receive
To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays.
Send
Cause to be directed or transmitted to another place;
Send me your latest results
I'll mail you the paper when it's written
Receive
To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.
Send
Transport commercially
Receive
Get something; come into possession of;
Receive payment
Receive a gift
Receive letters from the front
Send
Assign to a station
Receive
Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions
Send
Transfer;
The spy sent the classified information off to Russia
Receive
Recieve (perceptual input);
Pick up a signal
Send
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
Receive
Of mental or physical states or experiences;
Get an idea
Experience vertigo
Get nauseous
Undergo a strange sensation
The chemical undergoes a sudden change
The fluid undergoes shear
Receive injuries
Have a feeling
Send
Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;
We cannot air this X-rated song
Receive
Express willingness to have in one's home or environs;
The community warmly received the refugees
Receive
Accept as true or valid;
He received Christ
Receive
Bid welcome to; greet upon arrival
Receive
Convert into sounds or pictures;
Receive the incoming radio signals
Receive
Experience as a reaction;
My proposal met with much opposition
Receive
Have or give a reception;
The lady is receiving Sunday morning
Receive
Receive as a retribution or punishment;
He got 5 years in prison
Receive
Partake of the Holy Eucharist sacrament
Receive
Regard favorably or with disapproval;
Her new collection of poems was not well received
Receive
To get or accept something given.
I received a gift from my friend.
Receive
To be the endpoint of a communication or delivery.
She received an important phone call.
Receive
To take in or absorb information.
He received the news with shock.
Common Curiosities
What does receive mean?
Receive means to get or accept something given or sent to you.
Is sending active or passive?
Sending is active; you initiate the dispatch.
Is receiving active or passive?
Receiving is passive; you are the recipient.
Can receive be used in non-physical contexts?
Yes, receive can refer to getting information, help, or feedback.
What does send mean?
Send means to cause something to go from one place to another.
What role does one play when they send?
One plays an active, initiator role when they send.
What role does one play when they receive?
One plays a passive, endpoint role when they receive.
Can receive be used in communication?
Yes, such as receiving a call or an email.
Can you receive and send at the same time?
Yes, in a conversation, you might receive a message and send a reply simultaneously.
Can send be used for abstract concepts?
Yes, send can refer to conveying wishes, thoughts, or messages.
Does receive focus on the end result?
Yes, receive focuses on the act of obtaining something.
Does send focus on the process?
Yes, send focuses on the act of dispatching something.
Can send be used in communication?
Yes, such as sending a message or a letter.
Is sending always intentional?
Yes, sending typically involves a deliberate action.
Is receiving always intentional?
Not always; sometimes you receive things unexpectedly.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
