rummage

American  

[ruhm-ij] / ˈrʌm ɪdʒ /

verb (used with object)

rummaged, rummaging

1. to search thoroughly or actively through (a place, receptacle, etc.), especially by moving around, turning over, or looking through contents.

2. to find, bring, or fetch by searching (often followed by out orup ).

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verb (used without object)

rummaged, rummaging

1. to search actively, as in a place or receptacle or within oneself.

   She rummaged in her mind for the forgotten name.

noun

1. miscellaneous articles; odds and ends.

2. a rummaging search.

rummage British  

/ ˈrʌmɪdʒ /

verb

1. to search (through) while looking for something, often causing disorder or confusion

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noun

1. an act of rummaging

2. a jumble of articles

3. obsolete confusion or bustle

Other Word Forms

• rummager noun
• unrummaged adjective

Etymology

Origin of rummage

1520–30; aphetic alteration of Middle French arrumage, equivalent to arrum ( er ) to stow goods in the hold of a ship (< ?) + -age -age

Example Sentences

She rummages through the top drawer of her desk.

From Literature

Reluctantly I pulled off mine while Betsie rummaged in the wardrobe.

From Literature

Feeling a lot better, he rummaged in his pack for one of the rolls of dried roe buck that he’d prepared – what seemed like moons ago.

From Literature

He was already across the room, pulling the top box off a stack of cartons in the corner and rummaging in the one under it.

From Literature

He was still there, rummaging through the trash.

From Literature

Related Words

• comb
• forage
• poke
• scour