Rampant Meaning and Definition
Rampant
Pronunciation
/ˈræmpeɪnt/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Unrestrained or uncontrollable in growth, development, or behavior; spreading or increasing rapidly and unchecked.
Examples
- The weeds in the garden grew rampant and needed to be controlled.
- The company’s profits became rampant and they began to expand rapidly.
Synonyms
- About
- Wild
- Untamed
Antonyms
- Domesticated
- Tamed
- Containable
Etymology
The word “Rampant” comes from the Old French word “rampon”, meaning “to climb” or “to grow upwards”, and has been used in the English language since the 14th century.
Usage Notes
Rampant is often used to describe something that is growing or spreading rapidly, but it can also be used to describe behavior or actions that are unchecked or uncontrollable.
Cultural References
Rampant is often used in literature and poetry to describe the unchecked growth of nature, such as in the works of Romantic poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Rampant has been used in idiomatic expressions such as “a rampant liar” or “a rampant gossip”, to describe someone who is spreading negative information or lies.
Related Words or Phrases
- Unchecked
- Uncontrolled
- Wild
Collocations
- Rampant growth
- Rampant behavior
- Rampant rumors
Frequency of Use
Rampant is a relatively rare word in modern language, but it is often used in formal or literary contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Rampente
- Ramant
- Rempent