Rate (noun) the speed at which something happens, or a charge or price for a service. Rate (verb) to assess the quality, value, or importance of something; to give it a score or ranking.
What Does Rate Mean?
Rate is one of the most flexible and frequently used words in English. It comes from the Medieval Latin rata (calculated, fixed), itself from pro rata parte — "according to a calculated part". From this root we also get ratio, rational, and the accounting term pro rata. The word entered Middle English via Old French in the 15th century, initially as a financial term, and later broadened to cover speed, frequency, and quality judgements.
As a noun, rate covers two closely linked ideas. First, it describes the speed or frequency at which something happens relative to a unit of time or quantity: heart rate, crime rate, birth rate, growth rate. Second, it describes a charge or price expressed per unit: interest rate, hourly rate, exchange rate, flat rate. Both senses share the underlying idea of measuring one thing in relation to another.
As a verb, rate means to evaluate or rank something. You can rate a film, rate a restaurant, or rate a colleague's performance. In informal British English it also means to think highly of someone: I really rate her as a teacher. Note that when used as a verb, rate does not require an adverb to be complete: "How do you rate it?" is a full sentence.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| The train travels at a rate of 200 kilometres per hour. | A2 — noun, speed per unit |
| The hotel offers a special rate for students during the summer. | B1 — noun, price / charge |
| Most reviewers rated the new film very highly. | B1 — verb, to evaluate |
| The unemployment rate fell by two percentage points last quarter, according to official figures. | B2 — noun, statistical measure; formal register |
| At this rate of progress, she will reach C1 level by the end of the year. | C1 — fixed phrase at this rate; evaluative tone |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| interest rate | The central bank raised the interest rate to control inflation. |
| exchange rate | A favourable exchange rate made the holiday cheaper than expected. |
| heart rate | Exercise raises your heart rate and strengthens the cardiovascular system. |
| crime rate | The city's crime rate has dropped significantly over the past decade. |
| growth rate | Economists forecast a GDP growth rate of 2.5% for the coming year. |
| birth rate | Many European countries are concerned about their falling birth rate. |
| flat rate | The plumber charges a flat rate for call-outs, regardless of the job length. |
| hourly rate | Freelancers should calculate their hourly rate carefully to cover all costs. |
| rate highly | She is rated highly by her colleagues for her attention to detail. |
| at this rate | At this rate, we will miss the deadline by several days. |
Usage Notes
Key Patterns to Remember
- Rate + of + noun phrase — describes speed or frequency: a rate of 60 words per minute, the rate of change.
- Rate as + noun/adjective — classifies quality: She is rated as one of the best surgeons in the country.
- Rate + object + adjective/noun — assigns a score: I would rate this course excellent; critics rated it a masterpiece.
- At this/that rate — a fixed phrase meaning "if things continue at the current pace": almost always appears at the start of a sentence, often implying a warning or prediction.
- In British English, I rate him without an adverb means "I think he is good." This informal usage is common in speech but less frequent in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
The accident rate raised last year.
The accident rate rose last year. (Rise is intransitive; use raise only with an object: "They raised the rate.")
What is the rate of the dollar today?
What is the exchange rate for the dollar today? (Use exchange rate when comparing currencies, not rate of + currency.)
She was rated as excellent student.
She was rated as an excellent student. (Do not omit the article after rated as + singular countable noun.)