rank

¹rank

adj \ˈraŋk\

Definition of RANK

1

: luxuriantly or excessively vigorous in growth

2

: offensively gross or coarse : foul

3

obsolete : grown too large

4

a : shockingly conspicuous <must lecture him on his rank disloyalty — David Walden> b : outright —used as an intensive <rank beginners>

5

archaic : lustful, ruttish

6

: offensive in odor or flavor; especially : rancid

7

: putrid, festering

8

: high in amount or degree : fraught

— rank·ly adverb

— rank·ness noun

Examples of RANK

1. You can't expect a rank beginner like her to know all the rules of the game.
2. <covered with trumpet vines so rank you couldn't see the trellis beneath them>

Origin of RANK

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: 13th century

Related to RANK

Synonyms: lush, luxuriant, prosperous, rampant, weedy

Antonyms: sparse

Related Words: lavish, profuse; overgrown, overrun, verdant; close, dense, tangled, thick

Near Antonyms: dormant; blighted, stunted

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at malodorous, flagrant

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with RANK

bank, blank, clank, crank, dank, flank, franc, frank, hank, lank, plank, prank, shank, spank, stank, swank, tank, thank, yank, Yank