adjective
rank
Strongly excessive in growth or effect.
A rank smell rises from the trash can in the kitchen.
Etymology
The older adjective meant vigorous or strong. Excessive growth or overpowering effects developed from that strength when it exceeded desirable limits.
More examples
- The old cooking oil tastes rank.
- Rank weeds choke the neglected garden.
- Giving the contract to his brother is rank favoritism.
Forms
rank · ranker · rankest
rankness noun — The quality of being unpleasantly strong or excessive.