rash

1 of 3

noun

ˈrash

Synonyms of rash next

: an eruption on the body

: a large number of instances in a short period

a rash of complaints

rash

2 of 3

adjective

: marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution

a rash promise

obsolete : quickly effective

rashly adverb

rashness noun

rash

3 of 3

Did you know?

Is it possible that the origins of the noun rash (meaning “an eruption on the body,” as in “a skin rash”) and the adjective rash (meaning “overly hasty”) are the same? Not so fast! Like many homonyms—“two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning”—the two rashes have distinct sources. The noun rash, which first appeared in English in the late 17th century, probably comes ultimately from the Latin verb rādere, meaning “to scrape, scratch, shave.” The adjective rash appears to be about two centuries older, and comes from a Middle English word meaning “active, quick, eager.”

Choose the Right Synonym for rash

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of rash in a Sentence

Noun The baby has a skin rash. The doctor said she developed the rash because of the medicine. I break out in a rash if I eat shellfish. Symptoms of the disease include rash and fever. There has been a rash of robberies in the city this summer. Adjective Their rash actions resulted in a serious accident that could have killed someone. Don't be rash about this decision. Take your time. It was rash of you to make that promise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

At first, the nurses mostly provided first aid and trauma care, treating wounds and respiratory infections and rashes from the dirt and mud that pervaded the entire town after the storm. —

Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024 Most people who get dengue don't show symptoms, but those who do sometimes develop a high fever, body aches, nausea and rashes. —

Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Zika typically causes symptoms like fever, rash, and muscle aches. —

Wendy Wisner, Health, 31 Oct. 2024 The intense aspects surrounding the lunation 'can lead to rash decision-making, fiery confrontations and a desire to act without fully thinking things through' Comments Prepare for one of the most potent and tumultuous lunations of the year. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Adverb

Whatever is causing the left-hander to pitch terribly away from home this season, the Giants need to address this road rash sooner rather than later. —

Andrew Baggarly, The Mercury News, 2 May 2017 See all Example Sentences for rash

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from 17th-century French rache, rasche, going back to Middle French raiche "tinea," noun derivative of racher "to chisel, groove (metal)" (probably also "to scrape, scratch," senses attested in Romance cognates), going back to Vulgar Latin *rāsicāre, verb derivative from Latin rās-, participial and nominal stem of rādere "to scrape, scratch, shave" — more at rase

Adverb

Middle English (northern dialect) rasch quickly; akin to Old High German rasc fast

First Known Use

Noun

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of rash was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rash. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

rash

1 of 2 adjective

ˈrash

: marked by or coming from being too hasty in speech or action or in making decisions

a rash promise

rashly adverb

rashness noun

rash

2 of 2 noun

: a breaking out of the skin with red spots

: many instances in a short time

a rash of fires

Medical Definition

rash

noun

ˈrash

: an eruption on the body typically with little or no elevation above the surface

Last Updated: 27 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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rash

noun

adjective

adverb

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Synonyms

Examples of rash in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition