rummage

verb rum·mage \ ˈrə-mij \

Definition of rummage

rummaged; rummaging

intransitive verb

1 :to make a thorough search or investigation

2 :to engage in an undirected or haphazard search

transitive verb

1 :to make a thorough search through :ransack

rummaged the attic

2 :to examine minutely and completely

3 :to discover by searching

—

rummager

noun

See rummage defined for English-language learners

See rummage defined for kids

Examples of rummage in a Sentence

He rummaged through the attic for his baseball card collection.
He rummaged in his pocket for the receipt.
I heard you rummaging around in the refrigerator.

Recent Examples of rummage from the Web

One week before the start of school next week, crews were putting finishing touches — testing the new 500-seat proscenium theater's large screen — while students were rummaging through a maze of props backstage.

— meredith colias, Post-Tribune, "IUN hopes new building will be destination for the arts," 17 Aug. 2017
It was reported at 5:41 p.m. Aug. 10 that two vehicles had been rummaged through in the 900 block of South Madison Street.

— annemarie mannion, chicagotribune.com, "La Grange police blotter: Rash of car break-ins reported," 11 Aug. 2017
Surveillance footage in the home showed the men then searching the house for electronics, rummaging through shelves and bedrooms.

— elizabeth koh, miamiherald, "Teen answered door to armed duo that blindfolded him and robbed his home, cops say," 11 Aug. 2017
In the Trout Lake area, meanwhile, one grizzly had spent that hot summer rummaging through garbage barrels near a collection of cabins, menacing hikers and raiding backcountry campsites.

— author: karin brulliard, Alaska Dispatch News, "The story of 2 fatal grizzly bear attacks that changed our relationship with wildlife," 4 Aug. 2017
In April 2015, wildlife officials moved a family of five black bears to the Kenai Peninsula after the bears were found rummaging through trash on Government Hill.

— devin kelly, Alaska Dispatch News, "As Anchorage’s bear problem intensifies, a solution inches closer to reality," 15 July 2017
Assist with food service and rummage sale or be a docent for Antique Tractor & Machinery Show on Juyly 15-16 at Pioneer Village.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Where you can lend a hand in the community," 2 July 2017
The family made it about a mile before being spotted in a backyard, rummaging around in the mud.

— CBS News, "Police capture escaped pigs using Doritos, Cheetos," 1 July 2017
In another recent encounter more than 200 miles to the northeast, Cody Cottrell woke up last week to a black bear rummaging through the shed behind his cabin near Delta Junction.

— rachel d'oro, The Seattle Times, "Bear crashes through window of Alaska boy’s bedroom," 30 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rummage

²rummage

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1582

See Words from the same year

rummage Synonyms

Synonyms

ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), find, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up

Antonyms

miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words

espy, sight, spot; look for, search (for or out), seek

Near Antonyms

lose, mislay, misplace, misset

rummage

noun

Definition of rummage

1 a :a confused miscellaneous collection

b :items for sale at a rummage sale

2 :a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects

See rummage defined for English-language learners

Examples of rummage in a Sentence

a rummage of textbooks, notebooks, and old school papers all over the desk

Recent Examples of rummage from the Web

Merrillville rummage sale Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church will hold its fifth annual Rummage Sale Friday through Sunday at the church, located at 8600 Grand Blvd. in Merrillville.

— Post-Tribune, "Community news," 23 Aug. 2017
Heringer said Vilsaint was part of the church’s youth group and volunteered during events such as rummage sales.

— lyndsay winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Carlos man shot, killed outside his home identified," 7 Aug. 2017
All proceeds from the rummage sale will be used to directly benefit children in the care of Summit County Children Services.

— brittany nader, cleveland.com, "Summit County Children Services Women's Auxiliary Board hosts rummage sale Sept. 9," 3 Aug. 2017
And much of this will end up in the rummage sale or charity drive organized by some campus club.

— caitlin flanagan, New York Times, "Sending Sons Off to College, and Finding Solace in a Big Box Store," 31 July 2017
The sale is set up like a department store by volunteers and Forrest said that several years ago, the rummage sale inventory included a large amount of ice skates, golf clubs or holiday winter items.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "Kenilworth Union rummage sale gets flush with donations," 18 July 2017
The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital is accepting donations for its 79th annual rummage sale, scheduled for Oct. 14 and 15.

— Washington Post, "Loudoun County news briefs," 3 July 2017
On the boardwalk, the Poway Arts and Crafts Guild will be holding a craft market and the Poway Historical Society will be holding a rummage sale.

— emily sorensen, Pomerado News, "Old-Fashioned Fourth of July offers patriotic fun," 28 June 2017
St. Mary’s: Family Fun Festival with carnival rides, kids games, craft beer and wine tent, food tent and rummage, 5-11 p.m. June 23, 4-11 p.m. June 24; noon-6 p.m. June 25.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Your weekly entertainment calendar, June 23-29," 22 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of rummage

obsolete English romage act of stowing cargo, modification of Middle French arrimage, from arrimer to stow, from a- (from Latin ad-) + -rimer, from Middle English rimen to open up, make room for, from Old English rȳman — more at ream

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

See Words from the same year

rummage Synonyms

Synonyms

agglomerate, agglomeration, alphabet soup, assortment, botch, clutter, collage, crazy quilt, farrago, gallimaufry, grab bag, gumbo, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jambalaya, jumble, jungle, litter, macédoine, medley, mélange, menagerie, miscellanea, mishmash, mixed bag, montage, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, pastiche, patchwork, patchwork quilt, potpourri, ragbag, ragout, miscellany, salad, salmagundi, scramble, shuffle, smorgasbord, stew, tumble, variety, welter

RUMMAGE Defined for English Language Learners

rummage

verb

Definition of rummage for English Language Learners

: to search for something especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place

rummage

noun

Definition of rummage for English Language Learners

: the act of looking for something among a group of things

RUMMAGE Defined for Kids

rummage

verb rum·mage \ ˈrə-mij \

Definition of rummage for Students

rummaged; rummaging

:to search especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place or container

… Henry and his father rummaged through the basement until they found a gallon jar …
—Beverly Cleary, Henry Huggins

rummage

noun

Definition of rummage for Students

:a mixed up collection of different articles

Learn More about rummage

See words that rhyme with rummage Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rummage Spanish Central: Translation of rummage Nglish: Translation of rummage for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rummage for Arabic speakers

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rummage

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RUMMAGE Defined for English Language Learners

rummage

Definition of rummage for English Language Learners

rummage

Definition of rummage for English Language Learners

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rummage

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