# rigged

/ˈɹɪɡd/ (US) · /ɹˈɪɡd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rigged
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. dishonestly manipulated

adjective · CEFR B2

arranged in a dishonest way so that a specific person wins or a certain result happens.

For teachers: prearranged or manipulated through fraudulent means to ensure a predetermined outcome.

- Many people believed the election was rigged because the numbers didn't make sense.
- The investigation revealed that the bidding process had been rigged to favour a company owned by the mayor's brother-in-law.

### 2. equipped with ropes/sails

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

having all the necessary ropes, sails, or equipment attached and ready to use.

For teachers: fully equipped with rigging, such as masts, sails, and ropes on a vessel, or cables on a structure.

- The ship was fully rigged and ready to leave the harbour at dawn.
- The square-rigged vessel struggled to maintain its course against the sudden crosswinds in the narrow channel.

### 3. to set up equipment

verb · CEFR B2

to set up or assemble equipment, often in a temporary or clever way.

For teachers: to assemble or set up equipment, typically involving ropes, cables, or temporary structures. Transitive — takes a direct object.

- They rigged a temporary shower using a bucket and some plastic tubing.
- The stagehands rigged the lighting trusses overnight to ensure the theatre was ready for the morning rehearsal.

## Examples

- The players felt the game was rigged from the start.
- Protesters took to the streets claiming the election was rigged in favor of the ruling party.
- The investigation revealed that the bidding process had been rigged, with the contract secretly promised to a preferred vendor long before the deadline.

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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.