First Known Use: 1582
Dictionary
1rummage
verb rum·mage \ˈrə-mij\
: to search for something especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place
rum·magedrum·mag·ing
Full Definition of RUMMAGE
intransitive verb
1
: to make a thorough search or investigation
2
: to engage in an undirected or haphazard search
transitive verb
1
: to make a thorough search through : ransack <rummaged the attic>
2
: to examine minutely and completely
3
: to discover by searching
— rum·mag·er noun
See rummage defined for English-language learners
See rummage defined for kids
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Origin of RUMMAGE
2rummage
Related to RUMMAGE
- Synonyms
- ascertain, descry, detect, determine, dig out, dig up, discover, dredge (up), ferret (out), find out, get, hit (on or upon), hunt (down or up), learn, locate, nose out, root (out), rout (out), find, run down, scare up, scout (up), track (down), turn up
Rhymes with RUMMAGE
2rummage
noun
: the act of looking for something among a group of things
Full Definition of RUMMAGE
1
a : a confused miscellaneous collection b : items for sale at a rummage sale
2
: a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects
See rummage defined for English-language learners
Origin of RUMMAGE
obsolete English romage act of stowing cargo, modification of Middle French arrimage, from arrimer to stow, from a- (from Latin ad-) + -rimer, from Middle English rimen to open up, make room for, from Old English rȳman — more at ream
First Known Use: 1598
Related to RUMMAGE
- Synonyms
- agglomerate, agglomeration, alphabet soup, assortment, botch, clutter, collage, crazy quilt, farrago, gallimaufry, grab bag, gumbo, hash, hodgepodge, hotchpotch, jambalaya, jumble, jungle, litter, macédoine, medley, mélange, menagerie, miscellanea, mishmash, mixed bag, montage, motley, muddle, olio, olla podrida, omnium-gatherum, pastiche, patchwork, patchwork quilt, potpourri, ragbag, ragout, miscellany, salad, salmagundi, scramble, shuffle, smorgasbord, stew, tumble, variety, welter
Rhymes with RUMMAGE
RUMMAGED Defined for Kids
1rummage
verb rum·mage \ˈrə-mij\
rum·magedrum·mag·ing
Definition of RUMMAGE for Kids
: to search especially by moving and looking through the contents of a place or container <… Henry and his father rummaged through the basement until they found a gallon jar … — Beverly Cleary, Henry Huggins>
2rummage
noun
Definition of RUMMAGE for Kids
: a mixed up collection of different articles
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