rummage

1 of 2

verb

rum·​mage ˈrə-mij 

rummaged; rummaging

intransitive verb

1

: to make a thorough search or investigation

rummaged through his luggage for his passport

2

: to engage in an undirected or haphazard search

rummaged around in the refrigerator

transitive verb

1

: to make a thorough search through : ransack

rummaged the attic

2

: to examine minutely and completely

We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and read …

—Arthur Conan Doyle

3

: to discover by searching

… rummaged a sword and red sash from somewhere …

—Mary B. Chesnut

rummager noun

rummage

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a confused miscellaneous collection

b

: items for sale at a rummage sale

2

: a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects

Synonyms of rummage

Verb

• find
• discover
• learn
• locate
• get

Noun

• jumble
• assortment
• variety
• medley
• collage
• clutter

Examples of rummage in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Videos went viral of bears rummaging through supermarket aisles and roaming school grounds, setting local communities on edge. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

The first Newton to appear in the series in Season 3 came courtesy of some rummaging through eBay, where Mengual found a few real Newtons still in good condition. —Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 June 2026

Noun

Saturday, May 23 Find bargains: Mt. Olive Church and Preschool will hold a rummage and bake sale from 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 23 at the church, 14280 Poway Road in Poway. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026

Willis said Murry reportedly argued with the victim before firing multiple shots, then returned to rummage through the car and took things out of it before running away. —Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rummage

• have a rummage
• rummage sale

Kids Definition

rummage

1 of 2 verb

rum·​mage ˈrəm-ij 

rummaged; rummaging

: to make an active search especially by moving, turning, or looking through the contents of a place or container

rummaging through the attic

rummage

2 of 2 noun

: a confused miscellaneous collection of articles