rank rank /ˈræŋk/

adjective

1. () Very fertile; producing profuse growth  ( rank )
   very fertile; producing profuse growth
    Rank earth
   rank earth
   
2. Growing profusely  ( rank )
   growing profusely
    Rank jungle vegetation
   rank jungle vegetation
   
3. Complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers  ( downright , rank , right-down , absolute , out-and-out , sheer )
   complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
    Absolute freedom
   absolute freedom
    An absolute dimwit
   an absolute dimwit
    A downright lie
   a downright lie
    Out-and-out mayhem
   out-and-out mayhem
    An out-and-out lie
   an out-and-out lie
    A rank outsider
   a rank outsider
    Many right-down vices
   many right-down vices
    Got the job through sheer persistence
   got the job through sheer persistence
    Sheer stupidity
   sheer stupidity
   
4. Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible  ( crying , egregious , flagrant , glaring , gross , rank )
   conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
    A crying shame
   a crying shame
    An egregious lie
   an egregious lie
    Flagrant violation of human rights
   flagrant violation of human rights
    A glaring error
   a glaring error
    Gross ineptitude
   gross ineptitude
    Gross injustice
   gross injustice
    Rank treachery
   rank treachery
   
5. Very offensive in smell or taste  ( rank )
   very offensive in smell or taste
    A rank cigar
   a rank cigar
   

noun

1. () A row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another  ( rank )
   a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
    The entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen
   the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen
   
2. () Relative status  ( rank )
   relative status
    His salary was determined by his rank and seniority
   his salary was determined by his rank and seniority
   
3. () (military) the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army)  ( rank and file , rank )
   (military) the ordinary members of an organization (such as the enlisted soldiers of an army)
    The strike was supported by the union rank and file
   the strike was supported by the union rank and file
    He rose from the ranks to become a colonel
   he rose from the ranks to become a colonel
   
4. () Position in a social hierarchy  ( social rank , social station , social status , rank )
   position in a social hierarchy
    The British are more aware of social status than Americans are
   the British are more aware of social status than Americans are
   
5. () The body of members of an organization or group  ( rank , membership )
   the body of members of an organization or group
    They polled their membership
   they polled their membership
    They found dissension in their own ranks
   they found dissension in their own ranks
    He joined the ranks of the unemployed
   he joined the ranks of the unemployed
   

verb

1. () Take or have a position relative to others  ( rank )
   take or have a position relative to others
    This painting ranks among the best in the Western World
   This painting ranks among the best in the Western World
   
2. () Assign a rank or rating to  ( order , range , grade , place , rank , rate )
   assign a rank or rating to
    How would you rank these students?
   how would you rank these students?
    The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
   The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
   
3. Take precedence or surpass others in rank  ( outrank , rank )
   take precedence or surpass others in rank