rate

How quickly something happens or moves.

• Her heart rate was high.
• The water flows at a slow rate.
• Plants grow at different rates in different seasons.

How to use it: at a ... rate (The water escaped at a steady rate.); rate of something (The rate of growth has slowed.)

Similar words: speed, pace

Common phrases: at a rate, heart rate, growth rate, rate of change

An amount measured in relation to another amount, often shown as a percentage or per unit.

• Interest rates have risen.
• What is the exchange rate today?
• The birth rate fell to ten births per thousand people.

How to use it: a rate of ... (The loan has an interest rate of five percent.)

Similar words: ratio

Common phrases: interest rate, exchange rate, birth rate

To decide how good or valuable someone or something is, often by giving a score.

• How do you rate this hotel?
• Customers rated the service highly.
• I rate this camera at nine out of ten.

How to use it: rate something at ... (I would rate the meal at eight out of ten.); rate something on a scale of ... (Rate the pain on a scale of one to ten.)

Similar words: evaluate, assess, judge

Common phrases: rate something highly, rate the service, rate a film

To give someone or something a particular position or level in a list or system.

• They rate her first nationally.
• The school was rated among the best.
• These products are rated by their energy use.

How to use it: be rated ... (The team is rated third in the league.); rate someone/something as ... (The agency rated the company as low risk.)

Similar words: rank, classify

Common phrases: rate someone first, rate something highest, rate someone fourth

To think of someone or something as having a particular quality.

• I rate her as a great teacher.
• They rated the experiment a success.
• Few people rate this plan as realistic.

How to use it: rate someone/something as ... (I rate her as a very capable leader.); rate something + adjective (He rated the proposal excellent.)

Similar words: consider, regard, think of

Common phrases: rate someone highly, rate something as something