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Synonyms

rating

1 American  
[rey-ting] / ˈreɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. classification according to grade or rank.

  2. assigned position in a particular class or grade, or relative standing, as of a ship or a member of the armed forces.

  3. the credit standing of a person or firm.

  4. Radio, Television. a percentage indicating the number of listeners to or viewers of a specific program.

  5. a designated operating limit for a machine, apparatus, etc., as of voltage, load, or frequency, based on specified conditions.

  6. an amount fixed as a rate.

  7. British. apportioning of a tax.

  8. Chiefly British. one of the enlisted personnel in the British navy.

rating 2 American  
[rey-ting] / ˈreɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. an angry reprimand or rebuke; scolding.

rating 1 British  
/ ˈreɪtɪŋ /

noun

  1. a classification according to order or grade; ranking

  2. (in certain navies) a sailor who holds neither commissioned nor warrant rank; an ordinary seaman

  3. sailing a handicap assigned to a racing boat based on its dimensions, sail area, weight, draught, etc

  4. the estimated financial or credit standing of a business enterprise or individual

  5. radio television a figure based on statistical sampling indicating what proportion of the total listening and viewing audience tune in to a specific programme or network

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
rating 2 British  
/ ˈreɪtɪŋ /

noun

  1. a sharp scolding or rebuke

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of rating1

First recorded in 1525–35; rat(e) 1 + -ing 1

Origin of rating2

First recorded in 1570–80; rat(e) 2 + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The debt usually carries the lowest investment-grade rating from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and offers higher yields than most corporate debt with similar credit ratings.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

Maybank maintains a positive rating on Malaysia’s construction sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Baird analyst Ben Kallo cut his target to $538 from $548, while maintaining his Buy rating.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

DBS retains its buy rating and HK$18.00 target price.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

In more than a dozen states, student performance on standardized tests accounts for 50 percent of a teacher’s rating.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.