The correct spelling is “receiver”. “Reciever” is a misspelling.
You can remember the correct form with the rule “i before e except after c,” since the e comes before the i right after the letter c in “receive.”
This guide breaks down exactly why receiver is correct and reciever is not.
What Does “Receiver” Mean?
Receiver means a person, object, or device that takes or gets something.
Example: “The home theater receiver connects to every speaker in the room.”
Common uses of “receiver” in everyday writing:
- “How do you spell receiver correctly? R-E-C-E-I-V-E-R.”
- “The wide receiver caught the winning pass.”
- “The court appointed a receiver to manage the bankrupt company.”
“Receiver” in Different Writing Contexts
Why People Misspell It as “Reciever”
The misspelling reciever happens because of the way the word sounds when spoken quickly.
However, it breaks the standard English spelling rule: “i before e except after c.” Because the letter c comes right before the vowel sound, the correct order of letters is ei, making receiver right every time.
Where the Confusion Comes From
Common Uses of Receiver
Electronics: A device that gets radio, TV, or audio signals.
Football: A player who catches a pass.
People: Anyone who takes or gets something.
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Phrases
Synonyms for receiver: recipient, catcher, beneficiary, addressee, tuner (in electronics).
Antonyms: sender, giver, transmitter, donor.
Related phrases: “wide receiver” (a football position), “court-appointed receiver” (a legal/financial role), “radio receiver” (a signal-decoding device).
Memory Tip
The easiest way to remember the correct spelling:
Receiver — think “receive.” If you can spell “receive” correctly, just add “r” — the same ei order carries through both words.
Reciever — think “wrong every time.” There’s no context, field, or dictionary where this order of letters is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it receiver or reciever?
Receiver is the only correct spelling. Reciever is a common misspelling that breaks the “i before e except after c” rule.
What does “receiver” mean?
A receiver is a person, object, or device that takes or gets something — from a football player catching a pass to an electronic device picking up a signal.
Is a recipient a sender or receiver?
A recipient is a receiver — someone who gets or takes something, not someone who sends it.
How does a court decide on a receiver?
A court appoints a receiver as a neutral third party to manage assets or operations, usually during bankruptcy or a legal dispute, to protect the interests of all parties involved.
What is another name for receiver?
Depending on context, alternatives include recipient, tuner (electronics), or catcher (informal, sports-adjacent).
What are the types of receivers?
Common types include radio receivers, AV/home theater receivers, satellite receivers, and, in football, positions like wide receiver and tight end (which also catches passes).
Conclusion
Receiver is the only correct spelling, and reciever is a common spelling mistake. Whether you’re talking about football, electronics, or the law, the “i before e except after c” rule keeps the spelling consistent every time.
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