rant
v. · n.-
1 to speak angrily (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informalto speak or shout for a long time because you are angry or have a strong opinion.
to speak or declaim at length in an excited, impassioned, or angry manner, often without allowing others to interrupt.
ExampleHe started to rant about the high price of coffee again.
ExampleThe customer began to rant at the manager, listing every minor grievance he had experienced since entering the store.
UsageOften used with the preposition 'about'.
-
2 an angry speech (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala long, angry speech or piece of writing that complains about something.
a lengthy, emotional, and sometimes incoherent articulation of a grievance or opinion.
ExampleShe went on a long rant about how much she hates modern technology.
ExampleHis social media post was a three-page rant against the local council's new parking regulations.
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'go on a rant'.
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
-
3 a dance step (n.) C2 Proficiency Technical Dialecta specific type of energetic dance step used in traditional English folk dancing.
a rhythmic dance step involving crossing one foot in front of the other with a hop, characteristic of North West Morris dancing.
ExampleThe dancers performed a traditional rant step during the festival.
ExampleThe instructor spent the afternoon teaching the novices the intricacies of the rant step to ensure the Morris troupe remained in sync.
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly specialised and restricted to folk dance contexts; most learners will only encounter the 'angry speech' meaning.
From Dutch ranten, randen (“to talk nonsense, rave”), from Middle Dutch ranten (“to rant, babble, goof around”), of uncertain origin; but apparently related to Middle High German ranzen (“to dance, jump around, frolic”), German ranzen (“to be ardent, be in heat, copulate, mate, ramble, join up”).