Rampant
/ˈræmpənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsSpreading rapidly and without control; widespread.
/ˈræmpənt/
Spreading rapidly and often uncontrollably.
Rumors of the scandal were rampant in the office.
💡 Simply: Imagine a weed growing super fast and taking over your whole garden. Rampant is like that, but for bad things! Like a really bad flu spreading quickly, or a lot of fighting breaking out.
👶 For kids: When something is rampant, it means it's spreading fast and not stopping, like a lot of weeds in a garden.
More Examples
The black market for stolen goods became rampant after the economic collapse.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation is becoming rampant.
How It's Used
"Disease was rampant in the overcrowded refugee camp."
"Rampant inflation eroded the country's economy."
"Corruption was rampant throughout the government."
(Heraldry) (Of a heraldic animal) depicted in an upright position with forelegs raised, as if climbing or leaping.
/ˈræmpənt/
(Of a heraldic animal) standing on its hind legs with one foreleg raised.
The coat of arms displayed a lion rampant.
💡 Simply: Imagine a lion standing up on its back legs, with its front paws lifted, like it's about to pounce or roar. That's 'rampant' in a fancy, coat-of-arms way!
👶 For kids: If you see an animal standing on its back legs with its front legs up in a drawing, that's rampant!
More Examples
The rampant unicorn symbolized strength and purity.
The family crest featured an eagle rampant, representing courage.
How It's Used
"The lion rampant is a common symbol on coats of arms."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Middle French *ramper* ('to climb, crawl') via the sense of 'to rear up'. The current sense of 'widespread' developed in the 16th century.
The word's usage related to heraldry predates its broader sense of unrestrained spread. The latter meaning became common in the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think of a wild animal running amok and spreading chaos everywhere.
Word Origin
"to climb, crawl"