C1noun2K

Ranking

UK /["/ˈræŋkɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈræŋkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

the position of somebody/something on a scale that shows how good or important they are in relation to other similar people or things, especially in sport

In simple words: A list showing how things are ordered by quality or importance.

Examples

  • He has improved his ranking this season from 67th to 30th.
  • She has retained her No.1 world ranking.
  • The product has consistently been given a high ranking by consumer groups.
  • They deserve the top ranking.
  • He is currently 16th in the world rankings.

Usage notes

Used in contexts like competitions, evaluations, and reviews. Generally appropriate in academic, professional, and everyday discussions. Avoid in overly casual or slang contexts.

Grammar pattern

ranking + object (e.g. ranking of teams)

Memory hint

Think of 'rank' like a soldier's position—higher ranks are better.

Collocations

  • job ranking
  • university ranking
  • global ranking
  • customer ranking
  • performance ranking

Synonyms

  • order
  • list
  • classification
  • hierarchy
  • position

Antonyms

  • disorder
  • chaos
  • anarchy

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'rank', using them interchangeably.
  • Using 'ranking' as a verb instead of a noun.
  • Forgetting to specify the subject when saying 'ranking'.