rate
gb/ɹˈeɪt/ us/ɹˈeɪt/
A2
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
quantity
1
speed or frequency of something
How fast or often something happens.
Usage pattern:
the rate of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rate' with 'ratio'. 'Rate' often involves time or speed, while 'ratio' compares two quantities directly without time reference.
Synonyms
speed (Refers more to quickness of movement, not frequency in general.)
|
pace (Often used for the speed of activity or change.)
Antonyms
slowness (Opposite in terms of low speed or infrequency.)
Collocations
high rate
|low rate
|growth rate
|crime rate
|success rate
Themes
measurement
|statistics
|daily life
|science
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The birth rate has been falling for several years.
- At this rate, we will finish ahead of schedule.
- The crime rate in the city dropped last year.
- Interest rates have gone up again this month.
Learner examples
- The bus comes at a high rate during rush hour.
- The birth rate is low in this country.
- The crime rate went down last year.
- The growth rate is very fast.
Verb
B1
action
2
judge quality or value
To say how good, bad, or important something is.
Usage pattern:
to rate [something/someone] [adjective/number]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'rate' with 'rank'. 'Rate' is about judging quality or value, while 'rank' is about position in an order.
Synonyms
evaluate (More formal; often used in academic or professional contexts.)
|
assess (Similar meaning; often implies a careful examination.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not giving any evaluation or attention.)
Collocations
rate highly
|rate poorly
|rate on a scale
|rate performance
Themes
evaluation
|daily life
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I would rate this restaurant five stars.
- Critics rated the film as one of the year's best.
- How would you rate your experience with our service?
Learner examples
- I rate this book very high.
- She rated the movie as good.
- He rated the hotel five stars.
Noun
A2
quantity
3
price per unit or time
The amount of money you pay for a service or product for a certain time or amount.
Usage pattern:
the rate for [service/product]
Synonyms
fee (A set payment for a specific service; not always per unit/time.)
|
charge (The general cost for something; not necessarily fixed per unit/time.)
Antonyms
free (No payment required.)
Collocations
hourly rate
|interest rate
|exchange rate
|room rate
Themes
business
|economics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hotel offers a special weekend rate.
- His hourly rate is higher than average.
- What's the current exchange rate for dollars to euros?
Learner examples
- The hotel has a low room rate.
- I pay a high hourly rate for my tutor.
- The exchange rate is bad today.
Verb
B2
state
4
have certain importance level
To be thought of as having a certain level of quality or importance compared to other things.
Synonyms
rank (Focuses on position in an order; can be interchangeable in some contexts.)
Antonyms
fall short (Fail to reach a certain standard.)
Collocations
rate among the best
|rate as excellent
Themes
evaluation
|communication
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She rates among the top tennis players in the world.
- This school rates as one of the best in the country.
- The novel rates highly with literary critics.
Learner examples
- She rates among the best singers.
- This park rates as my favorite place.
- The movie rates high with fans.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rate
IPA
GB/ɹˈeɪt/
US/ɹˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
rate (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rate)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rate
- Plural: rates
Verb
- Base: rate
- 3rd Person Singular: rates
- Present Participle: rating
- Past: rated
Word family
Forms
Related words
rater
noun
Expressions
at this rate
1/ˈæt ðˈɪs ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
if things continue like now
If things keep going the same way they are now.
Examples
- At this rate, we'll be late for the meeting.
- You'll be broke by next month at this rate.
first-rate
1/fˈɚst ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
of the highest quality
Of the best quality possible.
Examples
- They stayed in a first-rate hotel.
- Her performance was first-rate.
make the rate
1/mˈeɪk ðə ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
achieve required standard
To do well enough to reach the needed level.
Examples
- He didn't make the rate for the national team.
- Only half the students made the rate to pass.
second-rate
1/sˈɛkənd ɹˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
of less than top quality
Not the best quality, but still okay.
Examples
- The movie was entertaining but second-rate.
- He bought a second-rate guitar that broke quickly.