Rank
/ræŋk/
Definitions
4 meaningsA position in a hierarchy, often indicating status, power, or importance.
/ræŋk/
A position in a hierarchy.
The General held the highest rank in the army.
💡 Simply: Imagine a game where you earn points to go to the top. Your rank is where you stand in line, based on your points. The higher your rank, the more important you are in the game.
👶 For kids: It's like a level or place in a group. Like, if you're first place in a race, that's a high rank!
More Examples
She achieved the rank of Senior Manager after ten years of service.
Students are often eager to improve their class rank.
How It's Used
"He rose through the ranks quickly."
"She holds a high rank in the company."
"The king's rank determined his place in the royal family."
To give something or someone a specific position in a list or system based on merit, importance, or value.
/ræŋk/
To assign a position on a scale or list.
The website ranks highly in search engine results.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're making a list of your favorite movies. To 'rank' them means to put them in order, from the best to the least best. It's like grading things.
👶 For kids: To put things in order from the best to the worst. Like, ranking your favorite toys from most to least favorite.
More Examples
The students were ranked by their performance in the quiz.
The company is ranked as one of the top employers in the region.
How It's Used
"The students were ranked based on their test scores."
"The team is ranked number one in the country."
"The website's popularity was ranked based on traffic."
A line or series of people or things arranged in a row.
/ræŋk/
A line of people or things.
The troops were ordered to stand in rank.
💡 Simply: Like when everyone lines up to get on the bus. That straight line is a 'rank'. Think of it like a straight line of people or things.
👶 For kids: A line of people or things, like when you stand in line for recess.
More Examples
The books were arranged in neat ranks on the shelves.
The parade marched by in orderly ranks.
How It's Used
"The soldiers stood in rank."
"Guests filed into the ballroom in rank."
Having a foul or offensive smell; very unpleasant.
/ræŋk/
Offensive; highly unpleasant.
The rank odor of the rotting fish was overpowering.
💡 Simply: Imagine a smell so bad it makes you wrinkle your nose. That's a 'rank' smell.
👶 For kids: A yucky, stinky smell.
More Examples
A rank, foul stench filled the room.
The battlefield was filled with the rank smell of death.
How It's Used
"The rank smell of the garbage filled the air."
Synonyms
Grade
Level
Position
Classify
Order
Place
File
Line
Fetid
Foul
Offensive
Idioms & expressions
rank and file
The ordinary members of an organization, excluding the leaders.
"The union leaders were negotiating, while the rank and file members awaited the outcome."
close ranks
To unite and support each other, especially in a difficult situation.
"When the company faced criticism, the employees closed ranks to defend their work."
From Old French *renc*, from Frankish *hring* ('circle, ring'). It originally referred to a line of people or things, then to a position in a hierarchy.
The word 'rank' has been used since the 13th century, initially referring to a line of people. Its meaning expanded over time to include position, status, and later, odor.