English Reference

Word

rank

US/ˈɹæŋk/

UK/ɹˈæŋk/

Definitions

01hierarchical level

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

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.

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

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

02position in a list

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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.

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

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

03a row of people or things

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

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.

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

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

Synonyms

04chess/math/computing

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Mathematics Technical

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.

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

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

Synonyms

05to have a position

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.

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

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

Synonyms

06to put in order

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.

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

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

07smelly or bad

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.

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

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

Synonyms

Antonyms

08complete/total

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.

“It was rank stupidity to drive through the flood water.”

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

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rank” in context.

Verb

01. attain the rank

“After years of training, she finally attained the rank of black belt.”

verb + noun

02. hold the rank

“He currently holds the rank of major in the army.”

verb + noun

03. rise through the ranks

“She worked hard to rise through the ranks of the company to become CEO.”

verb + prep + noun

Adjective

04. high rank

“His high rank in the organization gives him a lot of influence over policy.”

adj + noun

05. senior rank

“Only officers of senior rank are allowed to attend the high-level briefing.”

adj + noun

Preposition

06. by rank

“The soldiers were listed on the document by rank and seniority.”

prep + noun

07. in the ranks

“There is growing dissatisfaction in the ranks regarding the new pay structure.”

prep + noun

Real-World Examples

“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
“His arrival, though, has opened up a working relationship with the Spanish aristos, Gonzalo García and César Palacios arriving to work with a coach who helped them through the ranks in Madrid.”
The Guardian 14 Aug 2026

Word family

NOUN

rank(B2)

Related words

Idioms

Domains

ComputingMathematicsMusic

This entry

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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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