Skip to main content
to range

to range

25 3.3
To move or travel freely over an area
  • verb
  • /reɪndʒ/
translation icon : vagar
  • After the storm, the deer began to range further from their usual grazing spots.
  • range freely

And we would range for miles and miles and miles.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Since these birds were often allowed to range freely, many became feral.

  • And we would range for miles and miles and miles.

  • Sergeant, let your dogs range freely until they get the scent.

  • Trappers and hunters had begun ranging north to the Breakline and south to the Rock Spur.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The dogs were allowed to range freely across the open fields.

  • Wild horses range through the plains in search of food and water.

Synonyms

to wander
vsto range
379 1.3

Move around without a fixed direction, often slowly and in curves

is broader, not necessarily relaxed or winding in movement
to drift
vsto range
331 2.9

To move slowly without a clear direction, for example when air or water move something

implies active free movement rather than passive drifting
to cover
vsto range
192 3.3

To go across an area or distance

focuses on free movement rather than covering set distance
to roam
vsto range
189 2.5

Move around without a fixed place, often while looking for something

moves freely without implying a search or specific goal
to roll
vsto range
100 2.0

To move from place to place without a fixed home or plan

is free movement without implying a search for needs or adventure
to stray
vsto range
70 2.8

To move away from the correct place or path and wander

is neutral free travel rather than an error or deviation
to rove
vsto range
22 6.4

To travel around without a fixed plan, often looking for something

describes free movement without the strong searching purpose
to tramp
vsto range
17 5.5

To walk with heavy steps, often over rough ground

is free movement without the heavy steps or extra effort
to ramble
vsto range
14 4.4

To walk for pleasure without a fixed route

moves freely but not specifically for pleasure
to swan
vsto range
  • Informal
3 7.9

To move around in a relaxed, aimless way without a fixed plan

moves freely but not necessarily in a relaxed manner
to vagabond
vsto range
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To move from place to place without a home

expresses the same wandering without archaic or searching tone
to locomote
vsto range
  • Specialized
1 7.9

To move from one place to another

is more specific about free, purposeless travel rather than generic motion
ranging
vsto range
5.1

Moving freely over a wide area or from one topic to another

has the same meaning but is the main dictionary form

Idioms

Very near to someone or something at a short distance

Phrasal Verbs

to range in
  • Specialized
1 7.8

To aim at a target with tools like radar or GPS

Compounds

79 4.4

Able to work or be used over long distances

22 4.6

For plans or actions that reach far into the future

A long line of connected mountains that forms a high area

14 3.7

An area where people practice shooting at targets, usually with guns

14 3.8

Working only over a small distance

A place where people practice firing guns at targets

visual range
  • Specialized
8 4.7

The distance you can see a clear object like a flag with your eyes

A place where golfers practice hitting balls to marked distances

A chicken raised outdoors with space to move around and find food

2 2.1

A cooking stove with gas burners and an oven

home range
  • Specialized
2 5.6

The area an animal usually moves in to feed and rest each day

range finder
  • Specialized
2 5.7

A tool that measures how far away an object is using a laser

test range
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A place where people test machines, vehicles, or weapons

1 3.9

A place where people practice shooting rifles at targets

1 3.7

A place where people practice shooting at targets for training or sport

1 5.3

Giving children freedom to explore and make choices with little adult help

A long line of high land with many peaks joined together

An area where golfers hit balls to improve their swing

1 5.6

A group of mountain ranges along the Pacific coast of North America

1 3.0

A kitchen stove that uses electricity to make heat for cooking

1 2.7

A place where people practice hitting golf balls over long distances

driving range
  • Specialized
1 3.9

The maximum distance a vehicle can travel on a full tank or full charge under normal conditions

1 2.4

A large appliance that has burners on top and an oven for cooking food

A long mountain range along Australia's east coast from Queensland to Victoria

1 3.6

A device above a stove that removes smoke, steam and cooking smells

A long mountain range in the northwest United States across Washington, Oregon and northern California

A mountain range in Antarctica with high rough peaks and large glaciers

A mountain range in south central Alaska with tall snowy peaks, including Denali, North America's highest mountain

A long group of mountains in Bulgaria that runs from Serbia to the Black Sea

A way of keeping farm animals that lets them roam outdoors

A range of hills in northeastern Minnesota with large amounts of iron ore

A mountain range in northern Kashmir that includes K2, the world's second highest peak

interquartile range
  • Specialized
7.7

The difference between the highest and lowest values of the middle 50 percent of numbers

A mountain range in northern Kashmir that has K2, the second highest mountain in the world

A mountain range in northern Kashmir that includes K2, the world's second highest peak

range of a function
  • Specialized
7.4

All the possible values a rule gives when you put numbers in

range pole
  • Specialized
7.9

A long straight rod with red and white bands that people who measure land use to line up points

range animal
  • Specialized
5.1

An animal like a horse or cow that lives and eats grass on open land

rifle range
  • Specialized
4.4

The farthest distance at which a rifle can hit a target accurately

rocket range
  • Specialized
4.9

A place where people test or launch rockets under safety rules

7.7

A system of radio stations that help pilots find their position and direction

omnidirectional range
  • Specialized
8.7

A radio system that helps pilots find their exact position and direction

A mountain range in northwest Wyoming with tall sharp peaks including the Grand Teton

A device pulled behind a ship that listens for submarines from far away

A range of high mountains on the border between Alaska and Yukon, including Mount St Elias

How Far

to range
25 3.3
to roam
189 2.5
to wander
379 1.3
to stroll
122 1.8

Surface Forms

range infinitive
ranged past
ranged past participle
ranging present participle
ranges third person singular

Etymology

Range (verb: move freely) comes from the same root and means 'to roam', which is why animals or people can range over wide areas.