rake

1 of 5

noun (1)

ˈrāk 

1

a

: an implement equipped with projecting prongs to gather material (such as leaves) or for loosening or smoothing the surface of the ground

b

: a machine for gathering hay

2

: an implement like a rake

rake

2 of 5

verb (1)

raked; raking

transitive verb

1

: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake

rake leaves into a pile

2

: to gain rapidly or in abundance

—usually used with in

rake in a fortune

3

a

: to touch in passing over lightly

b

: scratch, scrape

4

: to censure severely

5

: to search through : ransack

6

: to sweep the length of especially with gunfire : enfilade

7

: to glance over rapidly

raker noun

rake

3 of 5

noun (2)

1

: inclination from the perpendicular

especially : the overhang of a ship's bow or stern

2

: inclination from the horizontal : slope

3

: the angle between the top cutting surface of a tool and a plane perpendicular to the surface of the work

rake

4 of 5

verb (2)

raked; raking

intransitive verb

: to incline from the perpendicular

rake

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noun (3)

: a dissolute person : libertine

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• comb
• dig (through)
• dredge
• hunt (through)
• ransack
• rifle
• rummage
• scour
• search
• sort (through)
• troll

Noun (2)

• cant
• diagonal
• grade
• gradient
• inclination
• incline
• lean
• pitch
• slant
• slope
• upgrade

Noun (3)

• backslider
• debauchee
• debaucher
• decadent
• degenerate
• deviate
• libertine
• perv
• pervert
• profligate
• rakehell
• rip

Examples of rake in a Sentence

Verb (1)

he raked repeatedly through his luggage, hoping that in one of the bags he would find his lost passport before his flight's departure

Noun (2)

the floor of the auditorium doesn't have much of a rake, so sightlines for spectators in the rear are not good

Noun (3)

was often spotted in sordid places that reinforced a reputation as one of the city's most notorious rakes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Then, to amplify the energy of the team’s famed Dawg Pound, the new stadium will have a soccer-style supporters section with a 34-degree rake—the steepest allowed in new construction—of safe standing, bringing the more than 6,700 standing-rail seats up against the northwest end zone. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Occasionally use a rake, shovel or pitchfork to stir up the pile. —Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 16 Dec. 2024

Verb

According to an investigative report obtained by USA TODAY, a person who was raking on the beach notified Key Biscayne Police on Nov. 12 that a head washed ashore and the Miami Dade Police Department responded to the scene. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024

At the end of the day, homeowners have to choose whether to rake or not to rake. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English racu; akin to Old High German rehho rake

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

short for rakehell

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1691, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1687, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rake

• haul/rake (someone) over the coals
• rake in
• rake it in
• rake-off
• rake over
• rake up

Kids Definition

rake

1 of 3 noun

ˈrāk 

1

: a garden tool with a long handle and prongs at the end

2

: a machine for gathering hay

rake

2 of 3 verb

raked; raking

1

: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake

rake leaves

raking in money

2

a

: to touch in passing over lightly

b

: scratch entry 1 sense 1, scrape

3

: to search through : ransack

rake the records for evidence

4

: to sweep the length of with or as if with gunfire

raker noun

rake

3 of 3 noun

: libertine

Etymology

Noun

Old English racu "a tool for gathering up grass or straw"

Noun

a shortened form of earlier rakehell (same meaning)