rate
/reɪt/ verbDefinition
› [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(Definition of rate verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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