noun · 4 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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Canada, UK, US:/ˈɹæt ˌɹeɪs/
Australian:/ˈɹæt ˌɹæɪs/
QueenslandRecorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An activity or situation which is congested with participants and which is hectic or tedious, especially in the context of a busy, modern urban lifestyle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
The busy, modern urban lifestyle itself, especially when seen as a competition for wealth or power.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Inconsiderate or unfair competition, where the competitors are willing to use any means to win.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, finance, government, politics
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
an exhausting routine that leaves no time for relaxation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: routine, modus operandi
History
Etymology
From rat + race.
Across languages
Translations
23 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Chinese Mandarin:
忙亂的活動 /忙乱的活动
(mángluàn de huódòng)
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Danish:
rotteræs
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Finnish:
oravanpyörä
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
French:
course folle
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
German:
Rattenrennen
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Hungarian:
hajsza
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Hungarian:
pozícióharc
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Hungarian:
mókuskerék
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Irish:
brú carnáin
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Italian:
corsa sfrenata
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Italian:
corsa al successo
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Italian:
competizione sfrenata
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Norwegian:
rotterace
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Norwegian:
rotteres
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Polish:
wyścig szczurów
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Russian:
крысиные бега
(krysinyje bega)
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Serbo-Croatian:
trčanje u kotaču
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Spanish:
carrera de ratas
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Swedish:
ekorrhjul
— activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants
Chinese Mandarin:
內卷 /内卷
(nèijuǎn)
— busy, modern urban lifestyle
Finnish:
oravanpyörä
— busy, modern urban lifestyle
Chinese Mandarin:
惡性競爭 /恶性竞争
(èxìng jìngzhēng)
— inconsiderate or unfair competition
Finnish:
oravanpyörä
— inconsiderate or unfair competition
