Rate
/reɪt/
Definitions
4 meaningsA measure, quantity, or frequency, typically measured against a scale or standard. Can refer to speed, amount, or how often something happens.
/reɪt/
A measure, quantity, or frequency, typically of something measured against a scale or standard.
The inflation rate is rising.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're tracking how fast you eat cookies. The 'rate' is how many cookies you eat per minute! It's a way of measuring something compared to something else, like time or distance.
👶 For kids: How many times something happens in a certain amount of time. Like, how many times you jump in a minute.
More Examples
The crime rate in the city has increased.
The interest rate on my savings account is very low.
How It's Used
"The interest rate on the loan is 5%."
"The birth rate in the country has declined."
"What's the exchange rate for dollars to euros?"
The amount of money charged or paid for something. This can be a fee, a tax, or a charge for a service.
/reɪt/
A charge or payment.
The hourly rate for the contractor is $50.
💡 Simply: When you pay for a ride in a taxi, the 'rate' is how much it costs per mile. It's the price you agree to pay.
👶 For kids: The amount of money you pay for something.
More Examples
We are trying to keep our advertising rates as low as possible.
What is the going rate for dog walking in this neighborhood?
How It's Used
"The property tax rate is very high in this area."
"The shipping rates vary depending on the carrier."
To assess or evaluate something. To assign a value, grade, or level of quality to someone or something.
/reɪt/
To estimate or assign a value to something.
I rate this book a five out of five stars.
💡 Simply: Imagine giving a star rating to a game or a movie. You're 'rating' it based on how much you liked it, how well it's made, or how good the acting is.
👶 For kids: To say how good something is. Like giving a star to a drawing.
More Examples
The app allows users to rate their experiences.
We need to rate the effectiveness of our marketing campaign.
How It's Used
"Please rate this movie on a scale of 1 to 5 stars."
"The teacher will rate the students' essays."
To regard or consider something. To assign a position of importance or value.
/reɪt/
To consider or regard something.
He rates loyalty above all other virtues.
💡 Simply: You might 'rate' your favorite hobbies. For example, you might rate playing video games as more important than watching TV.
👶 For kids: To think something is more important than something else.
More Examples
She rates good health as essential to happiness.
I rate this idea as highly probable.
How It's Used
"I rate honesty as the most important quality in a friend."
"She rates her family as the most important thing in her life."
Synonyms
Amount
Degree
Frequency
Level
Percentage
Proportion
Assessment
Charge
Cost
Fee
Price
Assess
Estimate
Evaluate
Grade
Judge
Rank
Consider
Deem
Prioritize
Idioms & expressions
at any rate
In any case; whatever happens.
"At any rate, I'm glad you're here."
a rate of knots
Speed of a ship, measured in nautical miles per hour.
"The ship was travelling at a rate of knots."
From Middle English rat(e), from Old French rate, from Italian rata ('fixed amount'), from Latin rata ('settled, fixed'), past participle of reri ('to reckon').
The word 'rate' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a fixed amount or payment, and evolved to include concepts of speed, proportion, and evaluation.