rate noun

1
speed/frequency
ADJ.
constant, expected, regular, steady | slow
the slow rate of change
| fast, rapid | alarming, phenomenal
The costs of the project are rising at an alarming rate.
| low
There is a low survival rate among babies born before 22 weeks.
| high | ever-increasing, rocketing | seasonally-adjusted
The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in December stood at 5%.
| success | divorce, marriage | death, mortality | accident | crime | growth, inflation |
metabolic, pulse, respiratory
survival | birth, fertility | We need to eat less as we get older and our metabolic rate slows
down.
VERB + RATE
improve, increase, speed up | cut, hold down, reduce, slow down
trying to hold down the rate of inflation
| stabilize | maintain | increase
RATE + VERB
be/go/shoot up, grow, increase, rise, rocket, skyrocket, soar | be/come/go down, decline,
decrease, drop, fall, plummet, plunge, slow, slip
PREP.
at a/the ~
The water was escaping at a rate of 200 gallons a minute.
2
amount of money paid
ADJ.
competitive, cheap, low, moderate, reasonable
We have a wide range of vehicles available for hire at competitive rates. Calls are cheap rate
after 6 p.m.
| extortionate, high | excellent, good | poor
The account offers a poor rate of interest.
| fixed, flat
You can opt to pay a flat rate for unlimited Internet access.
| usual | going
I'll pay you at the going rate (= the present usual rate of payment).
| variable | annual, hourly, weekly | base, basic, standard | top
paying the top rate of tax
| average | market
current market rates for borrowing
| group, preferential, reduced
Ask about the special group rates for entrance to the house and gardens.
| bank, exchange, interest, lending, mortgage, tax
VERB + RATE
determine, fix, set | increase, lift, put up, raise | cut, lower, reduce | hold
We will hold these rates until 1 April.
| charge
They charge the usual rate of interest.
| pay | give (sb), offer (sb)
RATE + VERB
go/shoot up, increase, rise
Their hourly rates have gone up.
| come/go down, drop | fluctuate
Exchange rates are fluctuating wildly.
| apply to sth
Standard rates of interest apply to these loans.
PREP.
at a/the ~
borrowing money at a high rate of interest
| ~ for
the average rate for an unskilled worker
| ~ of
an increase in the rate of taxation
PHRASES
a drop in interest rates, a rise in mortgage rates, etc.
a one-point rise in base lending rates | a rate of return safe investments which give a good
rate of return
More information about PER CENT
indicators ~ be down/up
With the share price down at 234p, it might be time to start buying. The CAC index was up 18.84
points.
~ reach sth, stand at sth
Consumer confidence reached a 30-year high. Second quarter sales stood at 18 billion.
~ be/remain unchanged
The 100 Share Index remained unchanged at 5297.
~ gain (sth)
The share gained 19 cents to close at 4.38.
~ suffer (sth)
Profit margins suffered when the company lowered prices to remain competitive.
~ climb, edge up, go up, increase ( ~ increase in value ), jump, rise, rocket, shoot up,
skyrocket, soar (
for currencies+ by, from, to or no preposition
)
Earnings per share climbed from 3.5p to 5.1p. The pound has increased in value relative to the
euro. Profits have shot up by a staggering 25%. Oil prices have skyrocketed.
~ come/go down, crash, decline, decrease ( ~ decrease in value ), dive, drop, fall, plummet,
plunge, shrink, slip, slump (for currencies+ by, from, to or no preposition)
Banana exports crashed nearly 50%. The pound fell to a 14-year low against the dollar. Net
income plummeted to USD 3.7 million.