rank
RANGK
Rank (noun) means a person's position or level in a hierarchy, such as in the military or an organisation. Example: “He was promoted to the rank of captain.”
noun
1
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 sergeant is a lower rank than a major."
2
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."
"After the last round, she kept her top rank in the quiz."
verb
1
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."
"I would rank this book above all the others on the list."
adj
1
Having a strong, unpleasant smell or taste.
"The fridge gave off a rank odour after the power cut."
"The old socks smelled utterly rank."
"The water in the vase had gone rank after a week in the sun."
2
Complete or extreme, used to intensify something negative.
"That's rank hypocrisy coming from him."
"It was a rank amateur's mistake."
"Calling that a fair price is rank nonsense, and everyone here knows it."
How to use rank
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- ranks
- Third person singular
- ranks
- Past tense
- ranked
- Comparative
- ranker, more rank
- Superlative
- rankest, most rank
Fill the gap
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for rank
See all rhymes for rank →Frequently asked questions
What does “rank” mean?
The word “rank” means a person's position or level in a hierarchy, such as in the military or an organisation. In plain terms, a position in an order or hierarchy; or, as an adjective, something with a strong bad smell, or something extreme.
How do you pronounce “rank”?
“Rank” is pronounced RANGK (/ˈɹeɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “rank” in a sentence?
Here is “rank” used in a sentence: “He was promoted to the rank of captain.”
What part of speech is “rank”?
Depending on how it is used, “rank” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “rank” come from?
The word “rank” comes from Old French. From Old English ranc, "proud" or "strong-growing," via Old French rang, "a row" — the same root that gives us range and arrange.
Is “rank” a common word?
“Rank” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “rank” have?
“Rank” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's position or level in a hierarchy, such as in the military or an organisation.
What is the difference between rank and title?
Rank is your position on a ladder of authority — it says who outranks whom, as a sergeant sits below a lieutenant. A title is the name attached to that position or person, such as 'Doctor' or 'Chief Executive'. A title labels the role; the rank fixes where it stands in the hierarchy.
What are some examples of rank?
The military is the classic case, from private up through corporal, sergeant, captain, and general. Police forces use ranks like constable and inspector, and organisations have their own tiers from junior staff to senior management. In each, rank signals a person's level of seniority and authority relative to others.
Is a higher rank always better?
A higher rank usually brings more authority, responsibility, and often pay, so it is generally seen as advancement. But it is not automatically 'better' for everyone — senior roles carry heavier accountability and pressure. Rank simply marks your level in the hierarchy; whether climbing it suits you depends on your goals.
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