rummage

play

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.

Origin and Etymology of rummage

²rummage

NEW!

First Known Use: 1582

See Words from the same year

rummage

noun rum·mage

Definition of rummage

1a : a confused miscellaneous collectionb : 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

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!

First Known Use: 1598

See Words from the same year

RUMMAGE Defined for English Language Learners

rummage

play

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

play

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