noun
rancor
RANG-kuh
Rancor (noun) means a deep, lasting bitterness or resentment toward someone, often from a perceived wrong. Example: “Years after the divorce, there was still rancor between them.”
noun
1
A deep, lasting bitterness or resentment toward someone, often from a perceived wrong.
"Years after the divorce, there was still rancor between them."
"He spoke about his old rival without any rancor at all."
How to use rancor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lingering feeling of bitterness or ill will.
UK vs US
Spelled "rancour" in British English, "rancor" in American English.
Common pairings
bitter rancor
without rancor
harbor rancor
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Word forms
- Plural
- rancors
- Third person singular
- rancors
- Past tense
- rancored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years after the divorce, there was still _____ between them.
Etymology
From Old French rancor, from Latin rancor, "rancidity" or "grudge" — the same root that gives us "rancid."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “rancor” mean?
The word “rancor” means a deep, lasting bitterness or resentment toward someone, often from a perceived wrong. In plain terms, a lingering feeling of bitterness or ill will.
How do you pronounce “rancor”?
“Rancor” is pronounced RANG-kuh (/ˈɹæ̝ŋkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rancor” in a sentence?
Here is “rancor” used in a sentence: “Years after the divorce, there was still rancor between them.”
What part of speech is “rancor”?
“Rancor” is a noun.
Where does the word “rancor” come from?
The word “rancor” comes from Latin. From Old French rancor, from Latin rancor, "rancidity" or "grudge" — the same root that gives us "rancid.".
