Word
rape
Phoneticsrape
US/ˈɹeɪp/
UK/ɹˈeɪp/
Definitions
01sexual crime
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Law
n. the crime of forcing someone to have sex when they do not want to.
n. the act of non-consensual sexual intercourse or other sexual penetration perpetrated against a person's will.
“The victim came forward to report the rape to the police immediately.”
“The prosecution presented DNA evidence to secure a conviction for the aggravated rape that occurred last autumn.”
Synonyms
02to commit sexual assault
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law
v. to force someone to have sex against their will.
v. to commit the act of non-consensual sexual penetration upon another person.
“He was sent to prison for ten years after he raped a stranger.”
“The defendant was accused of using a weapon to threaten the victim before he raped her in the alleyway.”
Synonyms
03the plant
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a plant with bright yellow flowers grown for its seeds, which are used to make oil.
n. the plant Brassica napus, widely cultivated for its oil-rich seeds used in cooking and industrial applications.
“The fields were bright yellow with rape in the early summer.”
“Farmers in this region have increasingly turned to growing rape as a profitable alternative to traditional cereal crops.”
Synonyms
04seizure by force
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. the act of taking something away by force or destroying a place.
n. the act of plundering, despoiling, or seizing property by force.
“The book describes the rape of the countryside by greedy developers.”
“Historians often discuss the rape of the city's treasures during the final days of the siege.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rape” in context.
Verb
01. convict someone of rape
“The jury took less than three hours to convict the defendant of rape.”
verb + noun + of + noun
02. investigate an alleged rape
“Specialized units were brought in to investigate the alleged rape that occurred last Friday.”
verb + adj + noun
03. report a rape
“The victim showed immense courage when she decided to report the rape to the local authorities.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. attempted rape
“The suspect is currently being held on charges of attempted rape and assault.”
adj + noun
05. statutory rape
“He was charged with statutory rape because the other person was below the legal age of consent.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. date rape
“The university launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of date rape drugs.”
noun + noun
07. rape survivor
“She has become a prominent advocate for rape survivors within the legal system.”
noun + noun
08. victim of rape
“The center provides counseling and medical support for any victim of rape.”
noun + of + noun
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the crime in general, but countable when referring to specific instances.
Real-World Examples
“Virginia Giuffre claimed she was raped by Brunel and was disappointed she didn’t see him in court.” “A rape scene becomes comic in Kika, from 1993, and another rape is euphemised as a silent movie pastiche in 2002’s Oscar-winning Talk to Her.” Word family
NOUN
- 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
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/rape