# rated

/ˈɹeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ɹˈeɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rated
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. evaluated or ranked

verb · CEFR B1

judged or ranked based on quality or value.

For teachers: the past tense or past participle of 'rate', indicating an assessment of quality, value, or status.

- The hotel was rated five stars by almost every guest who stayed there.
- The critics rated the performance as one of the finest of the decade, noting the lead actor's remarkable emotional range.

### 2. having a specific rank

adjective · CEFR B2

having a particular level or score in a system.

For teachers: possessing a specific rating or classification within a formal system.

- Only highly rated players are invited to join the national tournament.
- The bond was downgraded to a lower-rated category following the company's disappointing quarterly financial report.

### 3. maximum safe limit

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

the highest amount of power or weight a machine can safely use.

For teachers: denoting the maximum capacity, such as load or voltage, for which a device is designed to operate safely.

- The elevator has a rated capacity of ten people.
- Operating the motor beyond its rated voltage for extended periods will likely result in permanent hardware failure.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it modifies.

### 4. scolded or rebuked

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

spoken to angrily because you did something wrong.

For teachers: subjected to a sharp or angry rebuke.

- The servant was harshly rated by his master for the small mistake.
- In the old novel, the protagonist was soundly rated by the headmaster for his perceived insolence during the assembly.

## Examples

- Users rated the new app five stars.
- The safety board rated the vehicle as one of the most reliable models currently on the market.
- Although the film was highly rated by critics for its technical achievements, it failed to resonate with general audiences who found the plot overly convoluted.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.