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ransom

B2
UK/ˈrænsəm/US/ˈrænsəm/

Formal, Journalistic, Literary

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Definition

Meaning

A sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive.

The act of paying to secure a person's freedom from captivity or confinement; more broadly, any means of deliverance or release from an undesirable state.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily associated with crime and abduction. Can be used metaphorically for any form of coercive payment or condition for release.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or spelling differences. The concept and usage are identical.

Connotations

Identical strong connotations of crime, kidnapping, and coercion.

Frequency

Equally common and used in identical contexts in both UK and US English.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
demand a ransompay a ransomhold for ransomransom noteransom demandransom money
medium
raise the ransomrefuse to pay the ransomransom amountexorbitant ransom
weak
ransom callransom negotiationransom dropransom tape

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[VERB] ransom ([PRONOUN]/[NOUN])[VERB] [NOUN] for ransom[NOUN] demands a ransom for [NOUN]hold [NOUN] ransom

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

payment for release

Neutral

paymentrelease fee

Weak

buyoutredemption price

Vocabulary

Antonyms

free releaseunconditional release

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “A king's ransom”
  • “Hold someone/something to ransom”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used in standard business. Appears in security or crisis management contexts (e.g., 'ransomware attack').

Academic

Used in historical, legal, or criminology studies discussing kidnapping or piracy.

Everyday

Used in news reports about kidnappings. Metaphorical use in phrases like 'hold to ransom' is common.

Technical

Central term in law enforcement and cybersecurity (e.g., 'ransomware').

Examples

By Part of Speech

noun

British English

  • The kidnappers demanded a ransom of two million pounds for the safe return of the heir.

American English

  • The family raised the ransom money through a public fundraising campaign.

verb

British English

  • The nobleman was ransomed for a vast sum after the battle.

American English

  • They ransomed the kidnapped executive after a week of tense negotiations.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • The pirates wanted money. They wanted a ransom.
B1
  • The kidnappers asked for a large ransom to free the businessman.
B2
  • Despite the family's willingness to pay the ransom, the police advised against it.
C1
  • The corporation was effectively held to ransom by the hackers who had encrypted its vital data.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'RAN' and 'SOM(e)' money. You have to RUN (ran) and find SOME money to free the hostage.

Conceptual Metaphor

FREEDOM IS A COMMODITY THAT MUST BE PURCHASED / LIBERTY IS HELD HOSTAGE.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'выкуп' (which is correct) and 'откуп' (historically a payment to avoid a duty, not for a person). 'Ransom' is strictly for a person or, in modern terms, data. 'Выкуп' is the correct direct equivalent.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'ransom' for non-criminal payments (e.g., for a lost item). Confusing 'ransom' with 'bail' (which is for release from legal custody). Incorrect preposition: 'pay ransom *on* someone' instead of 'pay ransom *for* someone'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The terrorists decided to .
Multiple Choice

What does the idiom 'a king's ransom' mean?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditionally yes, but modern usage includes data (ransomware) and valuable property.

'Ransom' is paid to criminals for release from illegal captivity. 'Bail' is money paid to a court for temporary release from legal custody while awaiting trial.

Yes, meaning 'to secure the release of by paying a ransom' (e.g., 'They ransomed the captive').

It means to use a position of power to force someone to do something by threatening them with serious negative consequences.