Meaning & use

rank

noun·Academic

A position within a hierarchy or scale, especially one showing status, seniority, or ability.

See it in a sentence

He was promoted to the rank of captain after ten years of service.

The tennis player climbed steadily in the world rank throughout the season.

A note on using this word

Rank can also be an adjective meaning strongly and unpleasantly smelling, as in a rank odor, a very different sense.

Words with a similar meaning

positionstandinggrade

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. adjective

Having a strong, unpleasant smell, or being a blatant and extreme example of something bad.

The rank smell of spoiled milk filled the kitchen when she opened the fridge.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “rank”, then compare your use with the examples above.

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