Rank Definition

rank
adjective
  1. very fertile; producing profuse growth; "rank earth"
  2. very offensive in smell or taste; "a rank cigar"
  3. conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible; "a crying shame"; "an egregious lie"; "flagrant violation of human rights"; "a glaring error"; "gross ineptitude"; "gross injustice"; "rank treachery"
  4. complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers; "absolute freedom"; "an absolute dimwit"; "a downright lie"; "out-and-out mayhem"; "an out-and-out lie"; "a rank outsider"; "many right-down vices"; "got the job through sheer persistence"; "sheer stupidity"
  5. growing profusely; "rank jungle vegetation"
noun
  1. a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another; "the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen"
  2. relative status; "his salary was determined by his rank and seniority"
  3. the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army); "the strike was supported by the union rank and file"; "he rose from the ranks to become a colonel"
  4. position in a social hierarchy; "the British are more aware of social status than Americans are"
  5. the body of members of an organization or group; "they polled their membership"; "they found dissension in their own ranks"; "he joined the ranks of the unemployed"
verb
  1. take or have a position relative to others; "This painting ranks among the best in the Western World"
  2. assign a rank or rating to; "how would you rank these students?"; "The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide"
  3. take precedence or surpass others in rank

"Rank" in song lyrics

See how rank is used in real songs:

  • "But didn't see my soldiers on the flank movin up another rank"
    Aceyalone — Jack of All Trades
  • "who 'bout to clap at this, we at the top of our rank"
    All City — The Actual
  • "Don't make Amilliyon have to pull rank"
    Amil — Raw

Usage tips for "rank"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "rank" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for rank to find words that pair well.

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