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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.

Davidson analyst Michael Shlisky raised his rating on Rivian stock to Hold from Sell.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The boxes will monitor driving habits, such as speed and braking, and will provide a weekly rating.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Still, much of Wall Street remains bullish on the company, with 92% of the 61 analysts tracked by FactSet having a buy rating on the stock.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Benchmark analyst Yi Fu Lee initiated coverage on Palantir with a Hold rating and $150 price target on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

It gets a “perfect” rating on the game.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

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.