noun

rank

RANGK

noun

A person's position or level in a hierarchy, such as in the military or an organisation.

"He was promoted to the rank of captain."

"Employees of every rank attended the meeting."

A position in an ordered list, especially by quality or importance.

"The team is currently ranked first in the league."

"She holds a high rank in the national chess standings."

verb

To assign a position in an order, or to hold such a position.

"Critics ranked the film among the best of the year."

"The university ranks highly for its research output."

adj

Having a strong, unpleasant smell or taste.

"The fridge gave off a rank odour after the power cut."

"The old socks smelled utterly rank."

Complete or extreme, used to intensify something negative.

"That's rank hypocrisy coming from him."

"It was a rank amateur's mistake."

How to Use Rank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA position in an order or hierarchy; or, as an adjective, something with a strong bad smell, or something extreme.

Common pairings

military rank top rank rank and file rank smell

Word Forms

ranker comparative, more rank comparative, more rank comparative, ranked past tense, ranks plural, ranks singular, rankest superlative, most rank superlative, most rank superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

He was promoted to the _____ of captain.

Etymology

From Old English ranc, "proud" or "strong-growing," via Old French rang, "a row" — the same root that gives us range and arrange.

Rhymes for rank

bank dank tank yank Hank drank stank plank thank frank prank skank

See all rhymes for rank →