rate Definition

rate¹
noun

1. The number of times something happens, etc within a given period of time; the amount of something considered in relation to, or measured according to, another amount.

Example: a high suicide rate
Example: at the rate of 40kph
2a. A price or charge, often measured per unit;

Example: the rate of pay for the job
Thesaurus: price, cost, value, worth, duty, fee, tariff, tax.
2b. See separate entry.

Form: rates
3. A price or charge fixed according to a standard scale.

Example: rate of exchange
4. Class or rank.

Example: second-rate
Thesaurus: class, rank, status, degree, position, standing.
5. The speed of movement or change.

Example: rate of progress

verb rated, rating

1. To give (a value) to something.

Example: rate him number two in the world
Thesaurus: assess, rank, judge, estimate, evaluate, grade, class, determine, appraise, evaluate, consider, reckon, assay.
2. To be worthy of something; to deserve.

Example: an answer that doesn't rate full marks
intr
3. To be placed in a certain class or rank.

Example: rates as the best book on the subject
Form: rate as something (usually)
4. In the UK until 1990: to determine the value of property for the purposes of assessing the rates (sense 2) payable on it.

Derivative: rateable

See separate entries.

Idiom: at any rate

In any case; anyway.

Idiom: at this rate (at that rate)

If this or that is or continues to be the case.

Etymology: 15c: from Latin rata, from reri to reckon.

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rate²
verb

rated, rating
1. To scold or rebuke severely.

Etymology: 14c.