Word
rampant
Phoneticsram·pant, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹæmpənt/
UK/ɹˈæmpənt/
Definitions
01unchecked or widespread
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. spreading quickly in a way that is difficult to control, usually describing something bad.
adj. occurring or spreading in an unrestrained or unchecked manner, typically with negative connotations.
“Rumours about the company closing were rampant throughout the office.”
“Inflation was rampant during the post-war period, causing the price of basic necessities to double within a matter of months.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02heraldic position
C2 · Proficiency Technical
adj. shown standing on the back legs with the front legs raised, like a lion on a shield.
adj. depicting an animal, especially a lion, standing on its left hind leg with its forelegs elevated and in profile.
“The royal flag featured a gold lion rampant against a red background.”
“The family crest prominently displayed a griffin rampant, symbolising the courage and vigilance of their ancestors.”
Antonyms
03uneven arch
C2 · Proficiency Architecture Technical
adj. describing an arch where one side is higher than the other.
adj. describing an arch or vault with one impost or abutment higher than the other, often used in stairways.
“The architect used a rampant arch to support the heavy stone staircase.”
“The cathedral's flying buttresses utilise rampant arches to transfer the weight of the high roof to the external piers.”
Real-World Examples
“Arteta’s rampant team scented blood and went for the kill in the 23rd minute.” “It teaches us about rampant new demand from the Chinese middle class, and the long-hanging economic effects of the Vietnam War.” Etymology
From Middle English rampand, rampend, present participle of rampen (“to rise by climbing, shoot up, sprout, sty, ascend”), from Old French ramper (“to creep, climb”) (see below), equivalent to ramp + -and or ramp + -ant. Recorded since 1382, "standing on the hind legs" (as in heraldry), later, "fierce, ravenous" (1387). Compare Scots rampand (“rampant”). Alternatively from Middle English rampant, from Old French rampant, the present participle of ramper (“to creep, climb”), equivalent to ramp + -ant. Old French ramper derives from Frankish rampōn, hrampōn (“to hook, grapple, climb”), from rampa, hrampa (“hook, claw, talon”), from Proto-Germanic hrempaną (“to curve, shrivel, shrink, wrinkle”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
01. run rampant
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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