English Reference
noun · verb · adjective

rank

n. · v. · adj.
US /ˈɹæŋk/ UK /ɹˈæŋk/ rank UK spelling ranks

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.your position or level in an organisation like the military or a large company.

    n.a specific hierarchical level within a structured organisation, particularly the military or police.

    Simple

    After ten years of service, she finally reached the rank of captain.

    In context

    Promotions to the senior ranks are based on a combination of years in service and demonstrated leadership during field operations.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a place in a list that is sorted by quality, size, or importance.

    n.a position within a sorted sequence or scale based on a specific metric such as quality, population, or performance.

    Simple

    The university improved its global rank this year due to better research.

    In context

    Despite the economic downturn, the city maintained its high rank as a global financial hub.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a line or row of people or things standing side by side.

    n.a row of people or objects arranged in a straight line, often within a grid or military formation.

    Simple

    The soldiers stood in long ranks waiting for the parade to begin.

    In context

    The protesters stood in disciplined ranks, blocking the entrance to the building while maintaining a peaceful silence.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Technical Math

    n.a horizontal line on a chessboard, or a technical measure of size in math and computers.

    n.a horizontal row on a chessboard; also used in linear algebra for matrix dimensions and in computing for array dimensionality.

    Simple

    In chess, the pieces are set up on the first and second ranks.

    In context

    The algorithm calculates the rank of the matrix to determine if the system of linear equations has a unique solution.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to have a specific place in a list of quality or importance.

    v.to hold a particular position within a hierarchy or ordered sequence.

    Simple

    This restaurant ranks among the best in the city for Italian food.

    In context

    The country ranks third globally in terms of renewable energy production per capita.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to put things in a list from best to worst or most to least important.

    v.to assign a position to something within a hierarchy or according to a specific scale of value.

    Simple

    We need to rank these tasks by how urgent they are.

    In context

    The committee will rank the applicants based on their technical expertise and previous project management experience.

  7. 07 C1 Advanced Informal

    adj.having a very strong and unpleasant smell or taste.

    adj.offensive or foul in odour or taste; often implies decomposition or extreme lack of hygiene.

    Simple

    The air in the locker room was rank with the smell of old sweat.

    In context

    The stagnant water in the ditch had turned rank, giving off a pungent scent that reached the nearby houses.

  8. 08 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.used to emphasize that something bad is complete or total.

    adj.used as an intensive to describe something negative as utter or unmitigated.

    Simple

    It was rank stupidity to drive through the flood water.

    In context

    The project failed not due to bad luck, but because of rank incompetence at the executive level.

So far this year, she ranks 14th-fastest worldwide in the 200m, and 25th in the 100m.

BBC News· 17 Aug 2026

The report ranks Colorado as the 12th-least-affordable state in the country for renters.

The Conversation· 14 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated