rank
1 of 3noun
ˈraŋk 
1
a
: relative standing or position
b
: a degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence : distinction
soon took rank as a leading attorney
J. D. Hicks
J. D. Hicks c
: high social position
the privileges of rank
d
: a grade of official standing in a hierarchy
2
: an aggregate of individuals classed together —usually used in plural
3
a
: row, series
b
: a row of people
c(1)
: a line of soldiers ranged side by side in close order
(2)
ranks plural : armed forces
(3)
ranks plural : the body of enlisted personnel
d
: any of the rows of squares that extend across a chessboard perpendicular to the files
e
British : stand sense 6
4
: an orderly arrangement : formation
5
: the order according to some statistical characteristic (such as the score on a test)
6
: any of a series of classes of coal based on increasing alteration of the parent vegetable matter, increasing carbon content, and increasing fuel value
7
: the number of linearly independent rows or columns in a matrix
rank
2 of 3verb
ranked; ranking; ranks
transitive verb
1
: to determine the relative position of : rate
a highly ranked prospect
2
: to arrange in lines or in a regular formation
3
: to take precedence of
intransitive verb
1
: to take or have a position in relation to others
ranks first in her class
2
: to form or move in ranks
rank
3 of 3adjective
1
: offensive in odor or flavor
especially : rancid
2
a
: shockingly conspicuous
must lecture him on his rank disloyalty David Walden
David Walden b
: outright —used as an intensive
rank beginners
3
: luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth
4
: offensively gross or coarse : foul
5
: putrid, festering
6
: high in amount or degree : fraught
7
archaic : lustful, ruttish
8
obsolete : grown too large
rankly adverb
rankness noun
Synonyms
Noun
- degree
- echelon
- footing
- level
- place
- position
- ranking
- reach(es)
- rung
- situation
- standing
- station
- status
- stratum
Verb
- be
- grade
- place
- rate
- stand
Adjective
- lush
- luxuriant
- prosperous
- rampant
- weedy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun people of high rank and profession She's not concerned about rank or wealth. officers with the rank of captain He rose to the rank of partner in the law firm. He longed to join the upper social ranks. military ranks such as private, corporal, and sergeant He moved up through the ranks to become vice president of the company. The organization's ranks have doubled in the past two years. The flu swept through the ranks, infecting almost every soldier. Several men were selected from the ranks. Verb A magazine recently ranked the school as one of the best in the country. The city currently ranks as the world's largest. Students who rank in the top third of their class have a better chance of being accepted to the college of their choice. Adjective You can't expect a rank beginner like her to know all the rules of the game. covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them See More
Recent Examples on the Web Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Andrew Shroba of Montgomery is hoping to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and found a way to complete one of his requirements by adding some beautification to the VFW post in his hometown. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 In some editions Tuesday, the rank of Senior Col. Shi Yi, a spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, was given incorrectly as major in a World News article about U.S. lawmakers’ visit to Taiwan. WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 Franken served in the Navy from 1978 until his retirement in 2017, achieving the rank of vice admiral. Thomas Phippen, Fox News, 13 Aug. 2022 His promotion to four-star general comes 43 years after the first Black Marine achieved the rank of one-star general and 80 years after the Marine Corps first began accepting Black men in its ranks. Rick Rouan, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 Since the corps began admitting African American troops in 1942, the last military service to do so, fewer than 30 have obtained the rank of general in any form. New York Times, 6 Aug. 2022 Casey was South Carolina's first female fighter pilot, enlisting with the state's Air National Guard's 157th Fighter Squadron in 1996 and attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Meg Kinnard, ajc, 1 Aug. 2022 The first female fire captain, Danelle England-Dansicker, attained the rank in 1989 and rose to be a division chief. Tashi Mcqueen, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2022 David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2022 Cubs hitters have a collective .390 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the NL. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2022 When asked to rank the book, the lowest was a 2, and the highest was a 3. Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati was the only Ohio city (or Midwestern city, for that matter) to rank in the top 10. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2022 The Stroud to Smith-Njigba combo was the primary reason OSU was projected to rank among the nation’s elite teams. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 In November voters will be asked to re-rank these candidates, so Republicans now have another two months to figure out how not to elect a Democrat. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 The ratings were then compiled to rank up to 101 employers in each state, depending on the size of their workforce. Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Aug. 2022 His team showed 74 people pictures of dogs' faces with and without artificial tears in them and asked them to rank the animals. Katie Hunt, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Joe Lorio, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022 The report also did not re-rank water parks, but topping the attendance in the U.S. for 2020 was Universal’s Volcano Bay and Aquatica, part of SeaWorld Orlando. Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Oct. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 See More
Noun
The 29-year-old doctor had been drafted, given the rank of captain and assigned to the small pediatrics unit at a military hospital in Zama, Japan. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Andrew Shroba of Montgomery is hoping to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and found a way to complete one of his requirements by adding some beautification to the VFW post in his hometown. David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2022 In some editions Tuesday, the rank of Senior Col. Shi Yi, a spokesman for the Chinese military’s Eastern Theater Command, was given incorrectly as major in a World News article about U.S. lawmakers’ visit to Taiwan. WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 Franken served in the Navy from 1978 until his retirement in 2017, achieving the rank of vice admiral. Thomas Phippen, Fox News, 13 Aug. 2022 His promotion to four-star general comes 43 years after the first Black Marine achieved the rank of one-star general and 80 years after the Marine Corps first began accepting Black men in its ranks. Rick Rouan, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 Since the corps began admitting African American troops in 1942, the last military service to do so, fewer than 30 have obtained the rank of general in any form. New York Times, 6 Aug. 2022 Casey was South Carolina's first female fighter pilot, enlisting with the state's Air National Guard's 157th Fighter Squadron in 1996 and attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Meg Kinnard, ajc, 1 Aug. 2022 The first female fire captain, Danelle England-Dansicker, attained the rank in 1989 and rose to be a division chief. Tashi Mcqueen, Baltimore Sun, 29 July 2022 Verb
During Jordan’s five seasons, Butler was 40-54 in Big East games to rank eighth out of 11 teams. David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2022 Cubs hitters have a collective .390 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the NL. Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2022 When asked to rank the book, the lowest was a 2, and the highest was a 3. Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2022 Cincinnati was the only Ohio city (or Midwestern city, for that matter) to rank in the top 10. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2022 The Stroud to Smith-Njigba combo was the primary reason OSU was projected to rank among the nation’s elite teams. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 3 Sep. 2022 In November voters will be asked to re-rank these candidates, so Republicans now have another two months to figure out how not to elect a Democrat. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 1 Sep. 2022 The ratings were then compiled to rank up to 101 employers in each state, depending on the size of their workforce. Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Aug. 2022 His team showed 74 people pictures of dogs' faces with and without artificial tears in them and asked them to rank the animals. Katie Hunt, CNN, 22 Aug. 2022 Adjective
The Escape itself, though, is a mid-rank player overall. Joe Lorio, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022 The report also did not re-rank water parks, but topping the attendance in the U.S. for 2020 was Universal’s Volcano Bay and Aquatica, part of SeaWorld Orlando. Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Oct. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 In none has the national government deliberately stepped away from managing the crisis or substituted rank partisanship for the sober assessment of scientific knowledge. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, "row, series, high social position," borrowed from Anglo-Frenchrenc, ranc "line of soldiers, jousting lists, line or rank of persons or things" (continental Old & Middle French also "position in a series or class, high social position"), going back to Old Low Franconian *hringa- "circle, ring," going back to Germanic *hrenga — more at ring entry 1
Verb
derivative of rank entry 1
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English ranc overbearing, strong; akin to Old Norse rakkr erect and perhaps to Old English riht right — more at right
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Verb
1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Phrases Containing rank
Kids Definition
rank 1 of 3
noun
ˈraŋk
1
: row entry 2 sense 1, series
ranks of houses
2
: a line of soldiers standing side by side
3
ranks plural : the body of enlisted persons in an army
4
: position within a group
Who is highest in rank in this office?
5
: high social position
6
: official grade or position
the rank of major
rank
2 of 3adjective
1
: strong and active in growth
rank weeds
2
: outright entry 2 sense 1
rank dishonesty
3
: having an unpleasant smell
The room was rank with smoke.
rank
3 of 3verb
ranked; ranking
1
: to take or have a certain position in a group
He ranks near the top of the class.
2
: to arrange in a classification
3
: to arrange in lines or in a formation
rank 1 of 3
verb
1
as in to rate
to take or have a certain position within a group arranged in vertical classes my favorite pitcher ranks first in the league for number of consecutive outs Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- rate
- place
- be
- stand
- grade
- count
- seed
- classify
- class
- group
- sort
- categorize
- separate
- codify
- instate
- set
- compartmentalize
- install
2
as in to classify
to arrange or assign according to type most critics would rank him among our best actors Synonyms & Similar Words
- classify
- grade
- group
- relegate
- distinguish
- list
- place
- type
- categorize
- sort
- distribute
- separate
- class
- identify
- order
- recognize
- organize
- file
- range
- compartment
- peg
- codify
- index
- digest
- assort
- compartmentalize
- refer
- catalog
- alphabetize
- cull
- systematize
- break down
- marshal
- array
- dispose
- draw up
- winnow
- shelve
- reclassify
- cluster
- sift
- marshall
- pigeonhole
- clump
- catalogue
- set
- sieve
- screen
- colligate
- subcategorize
- recategorize
- regroup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lump
- scramble
- confuse
- mix (up)
- jumble
- disarrange
- misclassify
- missort
- mistype
rank
2 of 3noun
1
as in ranking
the placement of someone or something in relation to others in a vertical arrangement attained the highest rank in the Freemasons Synonyms & Similar Words
- ranking
- level
- position
- echelon
- place
- standing
- status
- degree
- situation
- station
- stratum
- footing
- rung
- reach(es)
- rating
- order
- function
- condition
- walk
- capacity
- estate
2
as in dignity
high position within society remembered as a woman of rank who socialized only with other members of the elite Synonyms & Similar Words
- dignity
- nobility
- state
- quality
- highness
- standing
- caste
- status
- class
- precedence
- superiority
- distinction
- dominance
- fashion
- preferment
- primacy
- nobleness
- preeminence
- loftiness
- gentility
- gentleness
- station
- grandness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subordination
- degradation
- inferiority
- debasement
- commonness
- baseness
- lowness
- lowliness
- subordinateness
3
as in row
a series of people or things arranged side by side rank upon rank of cavalry came thundering down the hill Synonyms & Similar Words
- row
- queue
- file
- bank
- tier
- line
- procession
- string
- chain
- column
- echelon
- sequence
- train
- range
- cue
- array
- concatenation
4
as in category
usually ranks plural one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic this book will someday join the ranks of the world's great novels Synonyms & Similar Words
- category
- league
- classification
- group
- tier
- family
- order
- class
- set
- grade
- kind
- type
- genus
- division
- species
- generation
- bracket
- sort
- rubric
- description
- like
- breed
- race
- section
- title
- variety
- branch
- specialty
- subgroup
- manner
- heading
- subdivision
- kidney
- label
- nature
- speciality
- ilk
- subspecies
- subclass
- feather
rank
3 of 3adjective
1
as in rampant
growing thickly and vigorously covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them Synonyms & Similar Words
- rampant
- lush
- dense
- prosperous
- luxuriant
- thick
- overrun
- close
- profuse
- weedy
- tangled
- lavish
- overgrown
- verdant
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sparse
- dormant
- stunted
- blighted
2
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell smokes rank cigars that usually send me running for fresh air Synonyms & Similar Words
- stinking
- ripe
- reeking
- fetid
- rotting
- strong
- disgusting
- malodorous
- foul
- smelly
- rotted
- stinky
- rotten
- filthy
- dirty
- noisome
- fusty
- rancid
- stenchy
- frowsy
- musty
- putrid
- stale
- decomposing
- funky
- offensive
- reeky
- decayed
- decomposed
- frowsty
- vile
- bad
- decaying
- revolting
- frowzy
- spoiling
- spoiled
- repulsive
- nasty
- odoriferous
- noxious
- odorous
- odiferous
- skunky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aromatic
- scented
- redolent
- perfumed
- sweet
- fragrant
- savory
- ambrosial
- savoury
- spicy
- flowery
- woodsy
- fruity
3
as in obvious
very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad the article about fairy tales was full of rank errors, such as a reference to "Cinderella biting into the poisoned apple" Synonyms & Similar Words
- obvious
- blatant
- glaring
- patent
- gross
- pronounced
- conspicuous
- distinct
- marked
- outstanding
- striking
- sheer
- noticeable
- egregious
- flagrant
- absolute
- prominent
- salient
- notable
- utter
- clear
- terrible
- evident
- remarkable
- visible
- arrant
- outright
- plain
- arresting
- perceptible
- discernible
- showy
- dramatic
- monstrous
- downright
- emphatic
- shocking
- detectable
- observable
- discernable
- shameful
- abominable
- outrageous
- eye-catching
- deplorable
- out-and-out
- heinous
- awful
- preposterous
- lousy
- execrable
- atrocious
- stark
- splashy
- wretched
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- imperceptible
- inconspicuous
- trivial
- insignificant
- inconsiderable
- hidden
- small
- trifling
- unobtrusive
- slight
- concealed
- invisible
- inconsequential
- unnoticeable
4
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions a sidewalk sale of art works by rank amateurs Synonyms & Similar Words
- absolute
- utter
- total
- sheer
- complete
- definite
- pure
- unconditional
- outright
- simple
- damn
- very
- damned
- perfect
- unqualified
- real
- categorical
- unmitigated
- stone
- regular
- arrant
- consummate
- thoroughgoing
- downright
- dead
- crashing
- huge
- plumb
- fair
- clean
- profound
- deadly
- blooming
- constant
- unadulterated
- endless
- straight-out
- blank
- dreadful
- unalloyed
- categoric
- flat-out
- thorough
- flat
- supreme
- out-and-out
- veritable
- eternal
- perpetual
- genuine
- main
- all-out
- stark
- bodacious
- undying
- surpassing
- terrible
- authentic
- unrestricted
- superlative
- horrible
- extreme
- unremitting
- classic
- confirmed
- hopeless
- habitual
- extraordinary
- terrific
- inveterate
- frightful
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- qualified
- uncertain
- doubtful
- restricted
- questionable
- dubious
- equivocal
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of rank are fetid, fusty, malodorous, musty, noisome, putrid, and stinking. While all these words mean "bad-smelling," rank suggests a strong unpleasant smell.
rank cigar smoke
Both fusty and musty suggest lack of fresh air and sunlight, fusty also implying prolonged uncleanliness, musty stressing the effects of dampness, mildew, or age.
a fusty attic
the musty odor of a damp cellar
The synonyms malodorous and rank are sometimes interchangeable, but malodorous may range from the unpleasant to the strongly offensive.
malodorous fertilizers
While the synonyms noisome and rank are close in meaning, noisome adds a suggestion of being harmful or unwholesome as well as offensive.
a stagnant, noisome sewer
Although the words putrid and rank have much in common, putrid implies particularly the sickening odor of decaying organic matter.
the putrid smell of rotting fish
Both stinking and fetid suggest the foul or disgusting.
prisoners were held in stinking cells
the fetid odor of skunk cabbage