rangi
HighNeutral
Definition
Meaning
The limits between which something varies; the full scope or extent.
A series of similar or related things; a line of mountains; a large open area for grazing or exercise; an area for military training or testing; a cooking stove.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; also a verb meaning 'to vary within limits' or 'to arrange in a particular order'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a noun, 'range' (cooking appliance) is more common in American English ('gas range'); British English prefers 'cooker' or 'stove'. The verb usage is identical.
Connotations
In both varieties, the noun can imply breadth, diversity, or capability (e.g., 'a wide range of skills').
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties, especially in academic, business, and general contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
range from X to Yrange between X and Yrange over/across/through ZVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at close range”
- “within range”
- “out of range”
- “home on the range”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to product lines, price points, or service offerings (e.g., 'Our new range targets the premium market').
Academic
Describes data sets, variables, or the extent of a phenomenon (e.g., 'The study examined a range of socioeconomic factors').
Everyday
Used for choices, ages, prices, or physical areas (e.g., 'There's a range of films to choose from').
Technical
In statistics: the difference between the highest and lowest values. In geography: a mountain chain.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The Lake District is famous for its beautiful mountain ranges.
- The supermarket offers a good range of organic products.
American English
- The Rocky Mountain range stretches for thousands of miles.
- We test new engines on a secure military range.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The toy shop has a big range of games.
- The hills are part of a long range.
- Prices range between £20 and £50, depending on the model.
- Her responsibilities range from answering calls to managing schedules.
- The opinions expressed by the panel ranged from cautious support to outright hostility.
- The new model boasts an impressive electric range of over 300 miles.
- The artist's work ranges freely across media, defying easy categorisation.
- The rifle is accurate at ranges exceeding 800 metres.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a mountain RANGE – it stretches over a wide AREA, showing the idea of extent.
Conceptual Metaphor
VARIETY IS HORIZONTAL SPACE (a wide range), ORDER IS LINEAR ARRANGEMENT (range items by date).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'рангом' (rank). 'Range' — это про разнообразие и пределы, а не иерархию.
- В значении 'кухонная плита' — ложный друг: русское 'ранг' не подходит.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'range from X until Y' (correct: 'from X to Y').
- Using as a countable noun for a single item: 'He has a wide range of interest' (correct: 'interests').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'range' correctly as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As a noun, it means a variety or extent. As a verb, it means to vary within limits or to arrange.
'Range' often stresses the limits or scope (from X to Y), while 'variety' focuses more on the number of different types within a set.
Use it to indicate the extremes of a scale. Ensure X and Y are parallel in structure (e.g., 'from beginners to experts', 'from £5 to £50').
Yes, primarily in American English (e.g., 'a gas range'). In British English, this meaning is understood but less common than 'cooker'.