rate

1 of 3

noun

ˈrāt

Synonyms of rate next

: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else

her typing rate was 80 words per minute

: an amount of payment or charge based on another amount

specifically : the amount of premium per unit of insurance

: a charge, payment, or price fixed according to a ratio, scale, or standard: such as

(1)

: a charge per unit of a public-service commodity

(2)

: a charge per unit of freight or passenger service

(3)

: a unit charge or ratio used in assessing property taxes

(4)

British : a local tax

: a fixed ratio between two things

: reckoned value : valuation

obsolete : estimation

: relative condition or quality : class

obsolete : a fixed quantity

rate

2 of 3

verb (1)

rated; rating

transitive verb

: to set an estimate on : value, esteem

talents that are rated highly

: to determine or assign the relative rank or class of : grade

rate a seaman

: to estimate the normal capacity or power of

: consider, regard

was rated an excellent pianist

: to have a right to : deserve

she rated special privileges

: to fix the amount of premium to be charged per unit of insurance on

obsolete : allot

intransitive verb

: to enjoy a status of special privilege

really rates with the boss

rate

3 of 3

verb (2)

rated; rating

transitive verb

: to rebuke angrily or violently

obsolete : to drive away by scolding

intransitive verb

: to voice angry reprimands

Phrases

at any rate

: in any case : anyway

Choose the Right Synonym for rate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance.

estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Example Sentences

Noun The cold weather meant a slower growing rate for many crops. At the rate we're moving, it will be morning before we arrive. People work at different rates. Gun violence is increasing at an alarming rate. Snow was falling at a rate of three inches per hour. There has been a fall in the rate of inflation. Crime rates have declined in recent years. What's the interest rate on the loan? Regular admission to the theater is $12, the student rate is $8, and the rate for senior citizens is $6. See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin rata, from Latin (pro) rata (parte) according to a fixed proportion

Verb (2)

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 5

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of rate was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2023.

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Kids Definition

rate

1 of 3 verb

ˈrāt

rated; rating

: to scold violently : berate

rate

2 of 3 noun

: a constant ratio between two things

a rate of exchange

: a price or charge set according to a scale or standard

hotel rates

tax rate

: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured in units of something else

the unemployment rate

: a level of quality : class

rate

3 of 3 verb

rated; rating

: consider sense 3, regard

was rated a good pianist

: to set an estimate on : evaluate

: to determine the rank, class, or position of : grade

rate a movie

: to have a rating : be classed

rates high in math

: to have a right to : deserve

rate a promotion

Medical Definition

rate

noun

ˈrāt

: a fixed ratio between two things

: a quantity, amount, or degree of something measured per unit of something else see death rate, heart rate, metabolic rate, pulse rate, sedimentation rate