noun
Uncommon
ransom
RAN-suhm
Ransom (noun) means Money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person. Example: “The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for her release.”
noun
1
Money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person.
"The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for her release."
"The family paid the ransom within twenty-four hours."
"In the film, the gang sends a note naming the ransom and the place to leave it."
verb
1
To pay money to free someone held captive.
"They managed to ransom the sailors from the pirates."
"The king was ransomed after months of negotiation."
"The village gathered every coin it had to ransom the captured children."
How to use ransom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA payment made to free someone who is being held captive.
Common pairings
pay a ransom
demand a ransom
hold someone to ransom
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Word forms
- Plural
- ransoms
- Third person singular
- ransoms
- Past tense
- ransomed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kidnappers demanded a huge _____ for her release.
Etymology
From Old French raençon, ultimately from Latin redemptio, "a buying back" — making ransom a distant word cousin of redemption.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “ransom” mean?
The word “ransom” means money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person. In plain terms, a payment made to free someone who is being held captive.
How do you pronounce “ransom”?
“Ransom” is pronounced RAN-suhm (/ˈɹæn.səm/ in IPA).
How do you use “ransom” in a sentence?
Here is “ransom” used in a sentence: “The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for her release.”
What part of speech is “ransom”?
Depending on how it is used, “ransom” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ransom” come from?
The word “ransom” comes from Latin. From Old French raençon, ultimately from Latin redemptio, "a buying back" — making ransom a distant word cousin of redemption.
Is “ransom” a common word?
“Ransom” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ransom” have?
“Ransom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person.
What is the difference between ransom and blackmail?
Ransom specifically refers to money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person, tying the payment directly to someone's release. Blackmail involves demanding payment under threat of exposing damaging information, without necessarily holding anyone captive.
Can ransom be used as a verb?
Yes, ransom functions as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, to ransom someone means to pay money to secure their release from captivity.
What phrases commonly use the word ransom?
Common collocations include "pay a ransom," "demand a ransom," "ransom note," and "hold someone for ransom." Each of these relates to exchanging money for a captive's freedom.
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