rash

noun

Save Word

\ ˈrash

Definition of rash

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : an eruption on the body

2 : a large number of instances in a short period a rash of complaints

rash

adjective

Definition of rash (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution a rash promise

2 obsolete : quickly effective

rash

adverb

Definition of rash (Entry 3 of 3)

archaic

: in a rash manner

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from rash Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did you know? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing rash Learn More About rash

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for rash

Adjective

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense. adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence. adventurous pioneers venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings. venturesome stunt pilots daring implies fearlessness in courting danger. daring mountain climbers daredevil stresses ostentation in daring. daredevil motorcyclists rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought. a rash decision reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences. a reckless driver foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense. the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Did you know?

The earliest known uses of rash (then spelled rasch) occur in a northern dialect of 15th-century Middle English. Its earlier origins are not known for sure, though it is clearly related to a number of similar words in the Germanic languages, including Old High German rasc ("fast, hurried, strong, clever"), Old Norse röskr ("brave, vigorous"), and Middle Dutch rasch ("quick, nimble, agile, vigorous"). It is not, however, related to the English noun rash ("an eruption on the body," as in a "skin rash"). The noun rash, which first appeared in English around 1700, comes by way of French and Vulgar Latin from Latin rasus, the past participle of radere ("to scrape" or "to shave").

Examples of rash in a Sentence

Noun The baby has a skin rash. The doctor said she developed the rash because of the medicine. I break out in a rash if I eat shellfish. Symptoms of the disease include rash and fever. There has been a rash of robberies in the city this summer. Adjective Their rash actions resulted in a serious accident that could have killed someone. Don't be rash about this decision. Take your time. It was rash of you to make that promise. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Miller’s death comes amid a rash of student-athlete suicides that have cast a spotlight on pressures students face academically, mentally and physically. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 6 May 2022 El Salvador has declared a state of emergency amid a rash of killings. — Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2022 The ceremony will also feature HBCU students as presenters, celebrating institutions like the one that nurtured Packer on a worldwide stage — and amid a rash of threats against dozens of the schools. — Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2022 Amid a rash of high-profile crimes in New York City, Mr. Suozzi and Republicans criticized the policies of Alvin Bragg, the progressive new district attorney, in Manhattan and pointedly attacked Ms. Hochul for not firing him. — New York Times, 16 Feb. 2022 The trip comes amid a rash of high-profile shootings in major cities, including New York, and less than two weeks after two New York Police Department officers were fatally shot on the job. — Maegan Vazquez, CNN, 3 Feb. 2022 In fact, up to a third of babies and toddlers in nappies have nappy rash at any one time. — Marija Butkovic, Forbes, 26 June 2021 Within two to four days of developing a fever, most people also have a rash which can vary in appearance from splotchy red to a flush of tiny red dots. — Lauren Krouse, Health.com, 18 May 2021 Baltimore and the surrounding areas have seen a rash of thefts of ATM machines. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, 20 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective In a blithe, even rash move, Lapsus$ also included two sensitive Nvidia code-signing certificates in its leaks. — Lily Hay Newman, Wired, 15 Mar. 2022 This would be a rash injustice to those young Americans with a secular viewpoint, who grew up in an areligious world. — WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021 Don't make rash decisions with 401(k) retirement plans amid rocky markets, experts advise. — Craig Harris, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2022 But the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals concluded Rakoff was too rash, and after the complaint was revived, Rakoff came to a new conclusion when denying summary judgment. — Eriq Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2022 Organizations with great leadership and a professional culture do not make such rash decisions. — Lance Reisland, cleveland, 7 Jan. 2022 In the 2010s, the agency cracked down on home genetic testing kits, concerned that people might make rash medical decisions as a result. — Lydia Depillis, ProPublica, 21 Dec. 2021 Sam is rash, funny, searching, entirely unpredictable. — New York Times, 15 Dec. 2021 That’s a pretty big revelation to have; so big, in fact, that a person might want to have a bit of a think on it before doing anything rash. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Whatever is causing the left-hander to pitch terribly away from home this season, the Giants need to address this road rash sooner rather than later. — Andrew Baggarly, The Mercury News, 2 May 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rash.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

First Known Use of rash

Noun

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rash

Noun

probably borrowed from 17th-century French rache, rasche, going back to Middle French raiche "tinea," noun derivative of racher "to chisel, groove (metal)" (probably also "to scrape, scratch," senses attested in Romance cognates), going back to Vulgar Latin *rāsicāre, verb derivative from Latin rās-, participial and nominal stem of rādere "to scrape, scratch, shave" — more at rase

Adverb

Middle English (northern dialect) rasch quickly; akin to Old High German rasc fast

Keep scrolling for more