rummage

verb rum·mage \ ˈrə-mij \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: rummage in a Sentence

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

Belinda takes a bite of her burger, then rummages in the paper bag and pulls out a napkin and wipes her lips.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award finalist: "The Sweeper of Hair" by Karin Lin-Greenberg," 2 June 2018
Police had received multiple calls from neighbors about a man rummaging through garbage carts, and a black pickup truck was seen heading south through the alley just before Greengrass' body was discovered, according to the report.

— jesse garza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Police seek vehicle involved in death of mentally ill homeless man on Milwaukee's south side," 30 May 2018
Most of the streetlights no longer work, and the only people outside after 8 p.m. are homeless kids rummaging through garbage bags.

— anatoly kurmanaev, WSJ, "The Tragedy of Venezuela," 24 May 2018
After prayers, Reb Berish began to rummage around the kitchen and prepare breakfast.

— ben taub, The New Yorker, "The Boarder," 30 Apr. 2018
Car rummaged through and wallet, cards and clothing stolen.

— libby solomon, baltimoresun.com, "Towson crime logs," 18 Apr. 2018
Officer Schwausch then observed a black male rummaging through the vehicle.

— Houston Chronicle, "Bellaire Police report," 21 May 2018
Someone had entered the garage through a side door and rummaged through more than one vehicle in the garage.

— kimberly fornek, chicagotribune.com, "Hinsdale police blotter: Laptops and wallets among items stolen from 11 unlocked vehicles," 18 May 2018
Don’t rummage through your bags and show off their contents.

— mark ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Reality of In-Flight Theft," 18 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

rummage Synonyms

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

Important note: Last week's announcement failed to give a date for the Western Reserve Masonic Community's annual rummage and estate sale.

— 'sam' boyer/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Young speakers impress the audience: Whit & Whimsey," 20 Apr. 2018
Today’s stores, all close to the Brooklyn apartment that Cumming, Faber and Kivlen once shared, are rummage-friendly.

— alice hines, New York Times, "How a Rising Rock Band Shops for Vintage," 29 Mar. 2018
Also lots of household rummage, books, crafting items and collectibles/treasures. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 4.

— cleveland.com, "Holiday sales and bazaars pop up for the 2017 season around Northeast Ohio," 26 Oct. 2017
Featuring local crafters, complimentary gift wrapping, holiday rummage, and items made by our own residents.

— cleveland.com, "Holiday sales and bazaars pop up for the 2017 season around Northeast Ohio," 26 Oct. 2017
Her novels—filled with vicars, church jumble (rummage) sales, cups of tea, narcissistic men, and anthropologists—are sometimes compared to those of Jane Austen for their delicate irony, but Pym was less sanguine about romantic love.

— laura miller, Slate Magazine, "A new book about the diets of notable women redeems the whole sentimental, self-indulgent genre of food writing.," 12 July 2017
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year