rash
rash
Rash (adj) means acting too quickly without thinking through the consequences. Example: “Quitting your job without a backup plan was a rash decision.”
adj
1
Acting too quickly without thinking through the consequences.
"Quitting your job without a backup plan was a rash decision."
"Don't make any rash promises you can't keep."
"It would be rash to buy a house without seeing it first."
noun
1
An area of irritated, reddened skin, sometimes with bumps or blisters.
"The soap gave her a rash on her arms."
"The doctor prescribed cream for the rash."
"The baby developed a red rash on his cheeks after the new lotion."
2
A sudden series of similar events, usually unwelcome ones.
"There's been a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood."
"The town suffered a rash of power cuts during the storm season."
"A rash of complaints followed the sudden change to the bus timetable."
How to use rash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHasty and unthinking, a skin irritation, or a sudden burst of similar events.
Common pairings
a rash decision
a rash of complaints
break out in a rash
skin rash
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Word forms
- Plural
- rashes
- Third person singular
- rashes
- Past tense
- rashed
- Comparative
- rasher, more rash
- Superlative
- rashest, most rash
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Quitting your job without a backup plan was a _____ decision.
Etymology
Possibly from Old English *ræsc, related to words meaning "to move quickly or flash" — connected to the idea of acting suddenly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rash
See all rhymes for rash →Frequently asked questions
What does “rash” mean?
The word “rash” means acting too quickly without thinking through the consequences. In plain terms, hasty and unthinking, a skin irritation, or a sudden burst of similar events.
How do you pronounce “rash”?
“Rash” is pronounced rash (/ɹæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rash” in a sentence?
Here is “rash” used in a sentence: “Quitting your job without a backup plan was a rash decision.”
What part of speech is “rash”?
Depending on how it is used, “rash” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “rash” come from?
The word “rash” comes from Old English. Possibly from Old English *ræsc, related to words meaning "to move quickly or flash" — connected to the idea of acting suddenly.
Is “rash” a common word?
“Rash” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rash” have?
“Rash” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: acting too quickly without thinking through the consequences.
What is the difference between rash and reckless?
Rash describes acting too quickly without thinking through the consequences, often referring to a single hasty decision. Reckless implies a broader disregard for danger across a pattern of behavior rather than one impulsive moment.
What is the difference between a skin rash and a rash of events?
A skin rash is an area of irritated, reddened skin, sometimes with bumps or blisters, caused by irritation, allergy, or illness. A "rash of events" is a figurative use describing a sudden series of similar, usually unwelcome occurrences, unrelated to skin.
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