sight read
verbpresent /ˈsaɪt ˌɹiːd/ · past /ˈsaɪt ˌɹɛd/
Etymology From sight + read, in reference to not being able to rely on muscle memory developed through practice.
1
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music To perform a musical piece while reading it for the first time, without rehearsal.
- I can sight read really simple music, but hard pieces need a lot of practice so I don't have to stop and figure out what I'm doing.
2
Video games Figuratively To complete a video game level (particularly an autoscroller) while playing it for the first time, without practice.
- Derived terms
- sightreadable
- Related terms
- sight sing, sight-translate