rate
noun [ C ]
uk/reɪt/ usthe speed at which something happens:
at a fast/slow/steady rate The economy grew at a slower rate in the third quarter than previously estimated.
an alarming/incredible/surprising rate The future of the channel is under threat after losing viewers and advertisers at an alarming rate.
cut/reduce/slow down the rate The dip in consumer spending was a key factor in slowing down the rate of growth in the economy.
double/increase/speed up the rate of sth
improve/maintain the rate of sth
the amount of something, or the number of times something happens in a particular period:
at a rate of 20%/100 a day, etc.
The group's business plan shows it growing at its current rate for the next five years.
rising/falling rate The report examines the reasons for the rising rate of personal bankruptcy.
unemployment/jobless rate Economists predict that the unemployment rate will continue to rise over the next 12 months.
It is an area with high poverty and a high crime rate.
the birth/death/divorce rate
the failure/success rate
HR, INSURANCE
an amount of money that is charged or paid for a particular service:
cheap/competitive/reasonable rate The network offers the cheapest rates for mobile calls from abroad.
The survey found that the average rate of pay was $9.51 per hour for women and $12.95 for men.
charge/pay/set a rate We charge a rate of between €500 and €800 per day.
a daily/hourly/weekly rate
FINANCE, TAX
the amount that is charged as tax on income, interest on loans, etc., usually shown as a percentage:
a competitive/reduced/special rate Some internet banks offer personal loans at highly competitive rates.
falling/high/rising rate How much a bond fund falls in a rising rate environment depends on its duration.
a fall/rise/cut in the rate We are likely to see a rise in the rate of VAT.
an annual/monthly/quarterly rate
the loan/savings rate
a rate cut/increase/hike I think we need another rate increase to keep inflation down.
rates [ plural ]
TAX, GOVERNMENT
in the UK, a local tax paid for some public services:
The company was told it had to pay rates of £1,100 a year on the small piece of land.
See also
absorption rate
AER
APR
average rate
bank rate
base rate
basic rate
bill rate
capitalization rate
capped rate
cheque rate
click-through rate
compound rate
conversion rate
day rate
depreciation rate
discount rate
effective rate
effective tax rate
Euribor
exchange rate
fixed rate
flat rate
floating rate
going rate
growth rate
interbank offered rate
interest rate
lending rate
marginal rate
market rate
mortality rate
negative interest rate
nominal interest rate
piece rate
prime rate
rack rate
short-period rate
standard rate
tax rate
teaser rate
uniform business rate
variable rate
water rates
rate
verb
uk/reɪt/ us [ I or T ]
to have, or be thought to have, a particular value or quality:
rate (sth) highly The broadband deal is rated highly in a survey by Which magazine.
The sector's most highly-rated analyst team advised investors to book profits.
rate (sth) as sth That must rate as one of the worst investments the company has ever made.
be rated a failure/success
[ T ]
to give something a particular value or position in a list, according to a set of standards:
The survey asked consumers to rate the elements that would most influence their purchasing decision.
be rated A/15/R, etc. This film is rated 18, and is for adults only.
[ T ] COMMERCE, ENVIRONMENT
to give something such as a piece of electrical equipment a number or letter that shows how powerful it is, how much electricity it uses, etc. so that consumers can compare products:
be rated A/B/X, etc. The washing machine is rated A for energy efficiency.
[ T ] FINANCE, STOCK MARKET
to give an investment a particular value after examining the level of risk involved:
be rated (as) investment grade/A/Triple A etc. Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
rate sth (as) a buy/hold/sell
FINANCE, STOCK MARKET
to advise investors to buy, keep, or sell particular shares or bonds
See also
zero-rated