rate

/reɪt/

noun

  1. The speed, frequency, or amount of something measured in relation to another quantity.

    B1

    countable

    • "At the current rate of development, the project will be finished early."B2
    • "The exchange rate between the dollar and euro fluctuates daily."B1
    • "The unemployment rate fell slightly last month."B2

  2. A fixed amount or percentage of money charged or paid for something.

    B1

    countable

    • "The hotel offers a special rate for children."A2
    • "The interest rate on the loan is 5%."A2

  3. A measure of how good, important, or successful someone or something is considered to be.

    B1

    countable

verb

  1. To judge, assess, or score someone or something according to quality, performance, risk, or another standard.

    B1

    transitive

    • "How would you rate this movie?"A2
    • "The government rates the risk of the project as high."B1
    • "The university is highly rated for its research programs."B2

  2. To consider someone or something to be particularly good, important, or capable.

    B2

    transitiveinformal

    • "I really rate that player."B1

  3. To charge a particular price for a service.

    B1

    transitive

    • "The plumber rates his work at fifty dollars an hour."B1
    • "They rate their services at $100 per hour."A2

Common mistakes

  • rate of speed→speed

    Use 'speed' instead of 'rate of speed'.

Collocations

interest rateexchange ratehourly rateat a rate ofunemployment ratehighly ratedtax ratebirth ratemortality rate

Word family

ratingoverrateunderrateratepayerrater