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to range

to range

7 3.3
To move or travel freely over an area
  • verb
  • /reɪndʒ/
: 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.

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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
489 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
265 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
222 3.3

To go across an area or distance

focuses on free movement rather than covering set distance
to roam
vsto range
206 2.5

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

moves freely without implying a search or specific goal
to stray
vsto range
75 2.8

To move away from the correct place or path and wander

is neutral free travel rather than an error or deviation
to roll
vsto range
18 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 tramp
vsto range
14 5.5

To walk with heavy steps, often over rough ground

is free movement without the heavy steps or extra effort
ranging
vsto range
8 5.1

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

has the same meaning but is the main dictionary form
to ramble
vsto range
6 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 rove
vsto range
2 6.4

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

describes free movement without the strong searching purpose
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
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

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

95 4.4

Able to work or be used over long distances

A long line of connected mountains that forms a high area

24 3.8

Working only over a small distance

18 4.6

For plans or actions that reach far into the future

17 3.7

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

A place where people practice firing guns at targets

12 3.0

A place where golfers practice hitting balls to marked distances

visual range
  • Specialized
10 4.7

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

8 5.3

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

5 3.7

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

test range
  • Specialized
4 4.9

A place where people test machines, vehicles, or weapons

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

3 3.9

A place where people practice shooting rifles at targets

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

An area where golfers hit balls to improve their swing

A long line of high land with many peaks joined together

driving range
  • Specialized
1 3.9

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

1 2.7

A place where people practice hitting golf balls over long distances

1 5.6

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

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

A way of keeping farm animals that lets them roam outdoors

rocket range
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A place where people test or launch rockets under safety rules

1 3.0

A kitchen stove that uses electricity to make heat for cooking

1 2.4

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

rifle range
  • Specialized
1 4.4

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

1 3.6

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

1 3.9

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

1 6.4

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

range animal
  • Specialized
1 5.1

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

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

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

interquartile range
  • Specialized
1 7.7

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

1 7.8

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Far

to range
7 3.3
to roam
206 2.5
to wander
489 1.3
to stroll
118 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.