rash

1 of 3

noun

1
: an eruption on the body
2
: a large number of instances in a short period
a rash of complaints

rash

2 of 3

adjective

1
: marked by or proceeding from undue haste or lack of deliberation or caution
a rash promise
2
obsolete : quickly effective
rashly adverb
rashness noun

rash

3 of 3

adverb

archaic
: in a rash manner

Did you know?

Is it possible that the origins of the noun rash (meaning “an eruption on the body,” as in “a skin rash”) and the adjective rash (meaning “overly hasty”) are the same? Not so fast! Like many homonyms—“two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning”—the two rashes have distinct sources. The noun rash, which first appeared in English in the late 17th century, probably comes ultimately from the Latin verb rādere, meaning “to scrape, scratch, shave.” The adjective rash appears to be about two centuries older, and comes from a Middle English word meaning “active, quick, eager.”

Choose the Right Synonym for rash

adventurous, venturesome, daring, daredevil, rash, reckless, foolhardy mean exposing oneself to danger more than required by good sense.

adventurous implies a willingness to accept risks but not necessarily imprudence.

adventurous pioneers

venturesome implies a jaunty eagerness for perilous undertakings.

venturesome stunt pilots

daring implies fearlessness in courting danger.

daring mountain climbers

daredevil stresses ostentation in daring.

daredevil motorcyclists

rash suggests imprudence and lack of forethought.

a rash decision

reckless implies heedlessness of probable consequences.

a reckless driver

foolhardy suggests a recklessness that is inconsistent with good sense.

the foolhardy sailor ventured into the storm

Examples of rash in a Sentence

Noun The baby has a skin rash. The doctor said she developed the rash because of the medicine. I break out in a rash if I eat shellfish. Symptoms of the disease include rash and fever. There has been a rash of robberies in the city this summer. Adjective Their rash actions resulted in a serious accident that could have killed someone. Don't be rash about this decision. Take your time. It was rash of you to make that promise.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are two different types of meningitis rashes. Sarah Lemire, Health, 19 Mar. 2024 Measles can be identified by a fever, a cough, red eyes, and as the disease progresses, a rash. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 18 Mar. 2024 Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash that looks like a bullseye. Emily Mullin, WIRED, 15 Mar. 2024 To help relieve the rash, try using 1% hydrocortisone cream or topical calamine lotion. Daniel More, Verywell Health, 8 Mar. 2024 When that rash appears, the infected person's fever may spike to more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, per the CDC. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 City Council may vote later on accountability measures to continue allowing participation in public meetings from home Show more sharing options La Mesa has temporarily suspended public comments via Zoom following a rash of antisemitic hate speech during last month’s City Council meeting. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024 Many residents of East Palestine are eager to move forward once the cleanup of the derailment wraps up later this year, but some are still experiencing respiratory problems, rashes and other health concerns. CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 People can spread measles to others from four days before a rash develops through four days after the rash appears, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
But these flying pests can also carry the West Nile virus, a disease that can cause fever, rash and muscle aches. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024 Another parent said their child developed a skin rash, which is a common side effect of melatonin for children under 4, according to police. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Feb. 2024 Libra September 23 – October 22 Feeling anxious about your finances could tempt you to make a last-minute, rash decision. Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024 Yeast can also build up on the scalp and cause infections; Malassezia yeast on the scalp can cause seborrheic dermatitis—an itchy, flaky rash—while Candida yeast can lead to symptoms such as scalp itchiness or blisters.1 Sleeping on wet hair can also make existing dandruff worse, Zeichner added. Korin Miller, Health, 7 Mar. 2024 Experts say several factors could cause an Apple watch rash, including wearing the device too tightly, sweat and bacteria build-up, or allergies to certain metals. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2024 Cognitive overload leads to avoidance, procrastination, or rash decisions as our brains seek to escape the discomfort of overwhelming choices. Andre Jean-Pierre, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Those who do usually experience rash, fever, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache for two to seven days. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 12 Jan. 2024 The letter said that parents should watch for symptoms of measles — high fever, rash, red, watery eyes — but did not encourage vaccination. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Whatever is causing the left-hander to pitch terribly away from home this season, the Giants need to address this road rash sooner rather than later. Andrew Baggarly, The Mercury News, 2 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably borrowed from 17th-century French rache, rasche, going back to Middle French raiche "tinea," noun derivative of racher "to chisel, groove (metal)" (probably also "to scrape, scratch," senses attested in Romance cognates), going back to Vulgar Latin *rāsicāre, verb derivative from Latin rās-, participial and nominal stem of rādere "to scrape, scratch, shave" — more at rase

Adverb

Middle English (northern dialect) rasch quickly; akin to Old High German rasc fast

First Known Use

Noun

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rash was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near rash

Cite this Entry

“Rash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rash. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rash

1 of 2 adjective
: marked by or coming from being too hasty in speech or action or in making decisions
a rash promise
rashly adverb
rashness noun

rash

2 of 2 noun
1
: a breaking out of the skin with red spots
2
: many instances in a short time
a rash of fires

Medical Definition

rash

noun
: an eruption on the body typically with little or no elevation above the surface

More from Merriam-Webster on rash

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