How Do You Spell RACK?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈak] (IPA)

The word "rack" is spelled with the letters r-a-c-k. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ræk/. The sound /r/ is made by placing the tip of the tongue behind the upper teeth and vibrating the vocal cords. The sound /æ/ is made by opening the mouth wide and lowering the tongue slightly, creating a slightly nasalized sound. The sound /k/ is made by touching the back of the tongue to the soft palate and releasing a sharp burst of air. Together, these sounds create the word "rack."

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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RACK Meaning and Definition

  1. Rack can be defined as a versatile and multifaceted term with various meanings depending on the context. Primarily, it denotes a framework or a structure designed to hold, support, or display various objects or items. For instance, in a household setting, a rack can refer to a storage device with horizontal shelves or hooks to organize and hold items such as clothes, utensils, or tools in an orderly manner.

    Additionally, the term rack often relates to a specific piece of furniture or equipment used for a particular purpose. For instance, a wine rack is a storage unit specifically designed to hold wine bottles, while a shoe rack is a device used to neatly arrange and store shoes. Similarly, a book rack is a stand or shelf designed to hold and display books.

    In a technical sense, rack can also refer to a series of parallel bars or teeth arranged closely together. For example, a gear rack is a row of gear teeth used in gear mechanisms, and a spice rack is a stand with small containers holding different spices in an organized manner.

    Furthermore, rack can also assume a verbal meaning. To rack can mean to place or arrange objects on or within a rack. Moreover, it can denote the act of subjecting someone or something to immense physical or mental strain or stress, as in "to rack one's brain," indicating the exertion of intense mental effort to solve a problem or recall information. In a different context, the term rack can also be used as a slang term to denote an aesthetic or attractive individual.

  2. • To decant or strain, as wines; to draw wines off the lees.
    • To strain; to stretch; to torture by stretching; to affect with extreme pain or anguish.
    • An instrument for stretching; an engine of torture; extreme pain; anguish.
    • The neck or spine of a fore quarter of veal or mutton.
    • A receptacle for hay for feeding horses, &c., formed of a range of upright bars; a frame on which articles may be placed or spread out, as a plate-rack; the frame from which the yarn or thread is drawn in spinning; in mining, an inclined plane on which the ore is washed and separated from the slime or earth; a flat bar with teeth on one side to work into those of a pinion.
    • The drift of the sky; thin, flying, broken clouds-not to be confounded with reek, a mist or vapour.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for RACK *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for RACK

Etymology of RACK

The word "rack" has an interesting etymology. It can be traced back to multiple sources:

1. Old English: The term "rack" is derived from the Old English word "hræc", which meant "horse". In Old English, "hræc" specifically referred to a horse's neck or spine.

2. Old Norse: Another possible origin comes from the Old Norse word "rekkr" or "hrekkr", which meant "a stack" or "a heap". This usage evolved to refer to a framework or structure used for torture or torment.

3. Proto-Germanic: The word may also have its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*rak-" or "*raka-", which meant "to stretch" or "cause to move rapidly". This sense of stretching or stretching someone out eventually led to the association with torture devices.

Idioms with the word RACK

  • rack sth up The idiom "rack something up" means to accumulate or acquire something, typically points, scores, wins, debts, or expenses. It implies the act of repeatedly achieving or increasing a certain goal or target.
  • rack up The idiom "rack up" means to accumulate, gain, or amass something, typically points, goals, or debts. It is often used in the context of achieving high scores, accumulating wins or losses, or accumulating a large amount of money or debt.
  • rack time The idiom "rack time" refers to the act of resting or getting some sleep, typically used to emphasize the need for relaxation or rejuvenation.
  • be on the rack The idiom "be on the rack" has a figurative meaning. It is used to describe a state of extreme mental or physical distress or anguish. The phrase originates from the medieval torture device known as the rack, which was used to stretch and torture prisoners. Therefore, when someone is said to be "on the rack," it implies that they are undergoing intense emotional or physical strain or torment.
  • on the rack The idiom "on the rack" typically refers to being under extreme physical or mental stress or agony. It originated from the medieval torture device known as the rack, used to stretch the victim's body by means of a strong wooden frame, causing intense pain. In a figurative sense, being "on the rack" implies feeling strained, overwhelmed, or tortured by a situation or circumstance.
  • go to rack and ruin The idiom "go to rack and ruin" refers to the process of deteriorating or falling into a state of neglect or disrepair. It is often used to describe a situation, place, or thing that is experiencing decline or is being neglected and left to ruin without proper care or attention.
  • off the rack The idiom "off the rack" refers to clothing items that are ready-made and available for purchase without any alterations. It typically implies that the item is mass-produced and not specifically tailored to fit the individual buyer.
  • rack one's brain The idiom "rack one's brain" means to think or concentrate very hard in order to remember or solve something.
  • rack your brains The idiom "rack your brains" means to think or try very hard to remember, solve a problem, or come up with an idea.
  • live at rack and manger The correct idiom is "live at rack and ruin," not "rack and manger." The idiom "live at rack and ruin" means to live a disreputable, chaotic, or ruinous life. It implies living in a state of neglect, decay, or destitution, often due to reckless behavior or lack of concern for one's well-being.
  • rack up sth The idiom "rack up something" means to accumulate or acquire something, often in significant or increasing amounts, typically in a competitive or challenging context. It is often used in relation to points, scores, debts, or achievements.
  • go to rack/wrack and ruin The idiom "go to rack/wrack and ruin" means to deteriorate or be completely destroyed over time. It implies a state of disrepair or collapse, often due to neglect or lack of maintenance.
  • rack out The idiom "rack out" refers to the act of sleeping or getting some rest, often used informally or casually.
  • rack one's brain(s) The idiom "rack one's brain(s)" means to think or ponder very hard, especially when attempting to remember or solve something challenging or complex. It implies putting a significant amount of mental effort into trying to recall information or find a solution.
  • rack brain "Rack (one's) brain" is an idiom that means to think very hard or to make a great effort to remember something or find a solution to a problem. It indicates the act of using one's mental abilities to the fullest extent in order to recall information or come up with an answer.
  • rack your brain/brains The idiom "rack your brain/brains" means to think deeply and intently in an effort to remember or find a solution to a problem or mystery. It suggests putting a significant amount of mental effort and concentration into seeking a solution or an answer.
  • rack your brain(s) The idiom "rack your brain(s)" means to think very hard or intensely to try to remember or solve something difficult.
  • rack one's brains The idiom "rack one's brains" means to think very hard or to make a great effort to remember or solve a problem.
  • rack brains The phrase "rack brains" is an idiom that means to think deeply and forcefully in order to try to remember or solve a problem. It refers to the act of straining one's brain or putting great effort into thinking and concentrating in order to find a solution or recall information.
  • rack duty The idiom "rack duty" refers to a situation where a person is required to take responsibility or perform a task that is difficult, challenging, or physically demanding. It can also mean being assigned a particularly arduous or unpleasant job.
  • rack face "Rack face" refers to a person's facial expression that shows signs of exhaustion, stress, or fatigue.
  • at rack and manger The idiom "at rack and manger" is used to describe someone or something that is living or existing in extreme poverty or destitution, struggling to survive with limited resources. It comes from the idea of an animal being literally at the rack (for hay) and manger (for food), symbolizing being in a state of extreme need.
  • crack-rack

Similar spelling words for RACK

Conjugate verb Rack

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have racked
you would have racked
he/she/it would have racked
we would have racked
they would have racked
I would have rack
you would have rack
he/she/it would have rack
we would have rack
they would have rack

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been racking
you would have been racking
he/she/it would have been racking
we would have been racking
they would have been racking

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would rack
you would rack
he/she/it would rack
we would rack
they would rack

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be racking
you would be racking
he/she/it would be racking
we would be racking
they would be racking

FUTURE

I will rack
you will rack
he/she/it will rack
we will rack
they will rack

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be racking
you will be racking
he/she/it will be racking
we will be racking
they will be racking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have racked
you will have racked
he/she/it will have racked
we will have racked
they will have racked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been racking
you will have been racking
he/she/it will have been racking
we will have been racking
they will have been racking

IMPERATIVE

you rack
we let´s rack

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to rack

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was racking
you were racking
he/she/it was racking
we were racking
they were racking

PAST PARTICIPLE

racked

PAST PERFECT

I had racked
you had racked
he/she/it had racked
we had racked
they had racked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been racking
you had been racking
he/she/it had been racking
we had been racking
they had been racking

PRESENT

I rack
you rack
he/she/it racks
we rack
they rack

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am racking
you are racking
he/she/it is racking
we are racking
they are racking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

racking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have racked
you have racked
he/she/it has racked
we have racked
they have racked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been racking
you have been racking
he/she/it has been racking
we have been racking
they have been racking

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it rack

SIMPLE PAST

I racked
you racked
he/she/it racked
we racked
they racked

Infographic

Correct spelling for rack
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