rate
rayt
Rate (noun) means a measure of how fast something happens, or how one quantity compares to another. Example: “The car was traveling at a rate of sixty miles per hour.”
noun
1
A measure of how fast something happens, or how one quantity compares to another.
"The car was traveling at a rate of sixty miles per hour."
"The unemployment rate fell last month."
"Her heart rate rose quickly as she climbed the stairs."
2
A fixed price charged for something.
"The hotel offers a discounted rate for weekly stays."
"The plumber charges an hourly rate that seems fair to us."
"Ask the agency about its weekend rate before you book."
verb
1
To give something a score or ranking based on quality.
"Customers rated the app five stars."
"Critics rated the film highly."
"I would rate the restaurant nine out of ten for its friendly service."
How to use rate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA measure of speed/proportion, a set price, or (as a verb) to judge and score something.
Common pairings
interest rate
growth rate
rate a movie
at any rate
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Word forms
- Plural
- rates
- Third person singular
- rates
- Past tense
- rated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The car was traveling at a _____ of sixty miles per hour.
Etymology
From Latin ratus, "fixed, calculated" — the same root that gives us "ratio" and "ration."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for rate
See all rhymes for rate →Frequently asked questions
What does “rate” mean?
The word “rate” means a measure of how fast something happens, or how one quantity compares to another. In plain terms, a measure of speed/proportion, a set price, or (as a verb) to judge and score something.
How do you pronounce “rate”?
“Rate” is pronounced rayt (/ɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “rate” in a sentence?
Here is “rate” used in a sentence: “The car was traveling at a rate of sixty miles per hour.”
What part of speech is “rate”?
Depending on how it is used, “rate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rate” come from?
The word “rate” comes from Latin. From Latin ratus, "fixed, calculated" — the same root that gives us "ratio" and "ration.".
Is “rate” a common word?
“Rate” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “rate” have?
“Rate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a measure of how fast something happens, or how one quantity compares to another.
What is the difference between rate and ratio?
A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind, such as three boys to two girls. A rate compares two quantities of different kinds, usually against time or another unit, such as miles per hour or price per kilo. Every rate is a type of ratio, but a rate always involves different units.
What is the difference between rate and speed?
Speed is one specific kind of rate: the rate at which distance is covered over time. Rate is the general term and can measure almost anything changing against another quantity, such as interest rates, birth rates, or heart rates. So speed is always a rate, but most rates are not speed.
What are the types of rates?
Everyday examples include unit rates (price per item), interest rates (the cost of borrowing money), exchange rates (one currency against another), and rates of change such as speed or growth. In statistics you also meet rates like birth, death, and unemployment rates, each comparing events to a population.
What is an example of a rate?
Speed is the classic example: sixty miles per hour compares distance to time. Other everyday rates include a heart rate of seventy beats per minute, an interest rate of five percent a year, or a price of two pounds per litre. Each one measures one quantity against another.
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