adj · noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈɹæ̞ŋkə/
General-American:/ˈɹæ̝ŋkɚ/without æ-raising
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
/ˈɹeɪ̯ŋkɚ/æ-raising
/ˈɹɛ̃ŋkɚ/æ-raising
rhymes with -æŋkə(ɹ)
homophone: rancor
CMU ARPABET:R AE1 NG K ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
comparative form of rank: more rank
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: comparative, form-of
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
One who ranks things, or arranges them in ranks.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A kind of soil developed over non-calcareous material, usually rock.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A common soldier.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
One with a specified rank.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
an enlisted soldier who serves in the ranks of the armed forces
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: soldier
7
noun
Meaning 7
a commissioned officer who has been promoted from enlisted status
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: commissioned officer
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English rank Proto-Indo-European *-yōs Proto-Germanic *-izô Proto-West Germanic *-iʀō Proto-Germanic *-ōzô Proto-West Germanic *-ōʀō Old English -ra Middle English -ere English -er English ranker From rank + -er (comparative suffix).
Etymology tree English rank Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English ranker From rank + -er (agent noun suffix).
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.