How Do You Spell RANKS?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈaŋks] (IPA)

The word "ranks", which means a series or hierarchy of people, has an interesting spelling. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), it is transcribed as /ræŋks/. The "r" sound is a voiced alveolar fricative, the "æ" sound is a low front vowel, and the "ŋ" sound is a velar nasal. The "k" sound, by contrast, is an unvoiced velar plosive. This combination of sounds may seem unusual, but it is not uncommon in English, where spelling often does not perfectly match pronunciation.

RANKS Meaning and Definition

  1. Ranks, in its most common usage, refers to a system or hierarchy that organizes people or things based on their respective positions, statuses, or levels. It can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective, with variations in meanings depending on the context.

    As a noun, ranks typically denote a series of levels or positions, often representing different degrees of authority, importance, or skill. It can describe a military or corporate structure, where individuals are grouped according to their ranks, such as soldiers or officers. In this sense, higher ranks usually hold more power or responsibility.

    Additionally, ranks can also signify a group or category within a larger whole, as in the "ranks of the unemployed" or the "ranks of the elite." It implies the existence of a collective or community that shares some common characteristics or experiences.

    As a verb, to rank means to assign or classify someone or something within a specific order or arrangement. It involves organizing individuals or objects based on certain criteria, such as merit, skills, or performance. For instance, one might rank students based on grade point average or businesses according to revenue.

    As an adjective, rank describes something that is extremely foul or offensively smelly, usually associated with decaying matter or rot. It signifies an intense and unpleasant odor that is often used metaphorically to describe something morally or ethically repugnant.

    Overall, "ranks" refers to a hierarchical system, positional order, or classification, be it in terms of individuals, groups, or objects.

Top Common Misspellings for RANKS *

* 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 RANKS

Etymology of RANKS

The word "ranks" has its etymology in Middle English and Old French. It can be traced back to the Old French word "reng", which referred to a line or row. This word, in turn, came from the Frankish word "hring", which meant a circle or ring. The term "ranks" is predominantly used in a military context, where it refers to the lines or rows of soldiers. However, it is also employed in various other contexts to indicate a hierarchical order or social levels.

Idioms with the word RANKS

  • break ranks The idiom "break ranks" refers to an act of deviating from a group or organization's agreed-upon plan, view, or action. It means to depart from a unified front or to stray from the group's consensus.
  • close ranks The idiom "close ranks" means to unite and become tightly organized in order to defend or protect oneself or a group, typically against criticism, opposition, or a common enemy. It implies individuals or members of a group coming together, setting aside differences or conflicts, and forming a united front.
  • rise from the ranks The idiom "rise from the ranks" refers to someone who has advanced or achieved success within an organization or group, starting at a lower or entry-level position. It implies that the individual has worked their way up through hard work, dedication, and merit rather than being appointed or given preferential treatment.
  • come up through the ranks The idiom "come up through the ranks" refers to the process of gradually advancing or progressing within a particular organization, profession, or field of work from a lower or entry-level position to a higher or more influential position. It implies the notion of starting at the bottom and working one's way up by gaining experience, acquiring skills, and demonstrating aptitude and dedication.
  • join the ranks of sth The idiom "join the ranks of sth" means to become a member of a particular group, profession, or organization. It implies joining others who already belong to that group and involves becoming a part of a collective body that shares a common purpose or goal.
  • close ranks (with sm) The idiom "close ranks (with someone)" means to unite and support each other, especially in times of trouble or disagreement, often by setting aside individual differences and presenting a united front. It refers to a situation where a group or team comes together to defend a common interest or protect a member from criticism or attack.
  • close ranks (with someone) The idiom "close ranks (with someone)" means to come together and support or protect someone, especially in the face of opposition or criticism. It involves showing solidarity, unity, and loyalty towards a person or group, often in order to defend their actions, decisions, or reputation.
  • come up/rise through the ranks The idiom "come up/rise through the ranks" refers to the process of progressing or advancing within an organization or hierarchy, typically starting from a lower or entry-level position and gradually ascending to higher positions or greater authority. It implies achieving success or gaining recognition based on one's abilities, hard work, and dedication.
  • join the ranks (of something) The idiom "join the ranks (of something)" means to become a member or part of a certain group, organization, or profession. It implies joining others who are already involved in that particular activity or entity.

Similar spelling words for RANKS

Conjugate verb Ranks

CONDITIONAL

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

FUTURE

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

FUTURE PERFECT

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

PAST

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

PAST PERFECT

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

PRESENT

I rank
we rank
you rank
he/she/it ranks
they rank

PRESENT PERFECT

I have ranked
we have ranked
you have ranked
he/she/it has ranked
they have ranked
I am ranking
we are ranking
you are ranking
he/she/it is ranking
they are ranking
I was ranking
we were ranking
you were ranking
he/she/it was ranking
they were ranking
I will be ranking
we will be ranking
you will be ranking
he/she/it will be ranking
they will be ranking
I have been ranking
we have been ranking
you have been ranking
he/she/it has been ranking
they have been ranking
I had been ranking
we had been ranking
you had been ranking
he/she/it had been ranking
they had been ranking
I will have been ranking
we will have been ranking
you will have been ranking
he/she/it will have been ranking
they will have been ranking
I would have ranked
we would have ranked
you would have ranked
he/she/it would have ranked
they would have ranked
I would be ranking
we would be ranking
you would be ranking
he/she/it would be ranking
they would be ranking
I would have been ranking
we would have been ranking
you would have been ranking
he/she/it would have been ranking
they would have been ranking

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