Definition of 'rut'
Word forms: plural ruts
1. countable noun [usually singular, usu in a N]
2. countable noun
3. singular noun [usually the NOUN, also in N]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
rut in British English 1
noun
verbWord forms: ruts, rutting, rutted
4. (transitive)
to make a rut or ruts in
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C16: probably from French route road
Word Frequency
rut in British English 2
noun
1.
a recurrent period of sexual excitement and reproductive activity in certain male ruminants, such as the deer, that corresponds to the period of oestrus in females
2. another name for oestrus
verbWord forms: ruts, rutting, rutted
3. (intransitive)
(of male ruminants) to be in a period of sexual excitement and activity
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C15: from Old French rut noise, roar, from Latin rugītus, from rugīre to roar
Word Frequency
rut in American English 1
noun
2.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈrutted or ˈrutting
3.
to make a rut or ruts in
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
rut in American English 2
noun
1.
the periodic sexual excitement, or heat, of certain mammals: applied esp. to males, often specif. to those male ruminants in which it occurs once a year
see also estrus2.
the period during which this occurs
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈrutted or ˈrutting
3.
to be in rut
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
ME rutte < OFr ruit < L rugitus, a roaring (as of deer in rut) < rugire, to roar < IE *reuk- < echoic base *reu-, to roar, cry hoarsely > OE ryn, OSlav rykati, to roar
Word Frequency
rut in American English 1
(rʌt) (verb rutted, rutting)
noun
1.
a furrow or track in the ground, esp. one made by the passage of a vehicle or vehicles
2.
any furrow, groove, etc
3.
to fall into a rut
transitive verb
4.
to make a rut or ruts in; furrow
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1570–80; perh. var. of route]Word Frequency
rut in American English 2
(rʌt) (verb rutted, rutting)
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1375–1425; late ME rutte ‹ MF rut, ruit ‹ LL rugītus a roaring, equiv. to L rugī(re) to roar + -tus suffix of v. action]Synonyms of 'rut'
Examples of 'rut' in a sentence
rut
Example sentences from the Collins Corpus
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Rothwell believes the rockumentary has been in a bit of a creative rut.
Trends of
rut
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
rut
British English: rut
NOUN /rʌt/
If you say that someone is in a rut, you disapprove of the fact that they have become fixed in their way of thinking and doing things, and find it difficult to change. You can also say that someone's life or career is in a rut.
I don't like being in a rut – I like to keep moving on.
Browse alphabetically
rut
Source
Definition of rut from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
crane
robin
eagle
gull
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
starling
blackbird
heron
flamingo
BIRDS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
robin
barn owl
gull
kingfisher
Your score:
Word of the day
chortle
To chortle means to laugh in a way that shows you are very pleased .
Latest Word Submissions
Intellectiquette
May 06, 2024
Diaper Donny
May 06, 2024
Printerager
May 05, 2024
malinformation
May 04, 2024
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
FLOWERS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
daisy
dandelion
carnation
iris
FLOWERS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
lily-of-the-valley
daisy
dahlia
daffodil
FLOWERS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
carnation
iris
dahlia
dandelion
Your score:
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Learning English: Saying goodbye
Learn informal ways to say goodbye in British English - from 'Goodbye' to 'See ya!' with examples and tips for everyday use.
Read more
Scrabble: Spoilt for Choice
Strategize your Scrabble moves based on anagrams on the board, score, vowel placement, and hooks to get the best score you can.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more