Letter R - Common English words

Commonly used words in written English - letter R with 579 words, sorted alphabetically

The list of words starting with the letter R that occur frequently in written English is based on an analysis of the Google Books Ngram (a collection compiled by Peter Norvig in 2012, containing close to one trillion words).

Word Frequency is calculated as the number of occurrences in one million words.
Word Definition is sourced from the WordNet dictionary. You'll have to look up each word page for its complete definition and Part of Speech (POS) categories.

Word	Frequency	Definition
r	130	(noun) the 18th letter of the Roman alphabet
ra	9	(noun) ancient Egyptian sun god with the head of a hawk; a universal creator; he merged with the god Amen as Amen-Ra to become the king of the gods
rabbi	12	(noun) spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation; qualified to expound and apply Jewish law
rabbit	18	(verb) hunt rabbits; (noun) any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
race	114	(verb) compete in a race; (noun) any competition
rachel	9	(noun) (Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
racial	32	(adjective) of or related to genetically distinguished groups of people
racing	8	(noun) the sport of engaging in contests of speed
racism	9	(noun) the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races
rack	9	(verb) stretch to the limits; (noun) framework for holding objects
radar	8	(noun) measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects
radial	10	(adjective) relating to or near the radius; (noun) pneumatic tire that has radial-ply casing
radiant	5	(adjective) radiating or as if radiating light
radiation	39	(noun) energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles
radical	49	(adjective) of or relating to or constituting a linguistic root; (noun) a person who has radical ideas or opinions
radically	8	(adverb) in a radical manner
radio	58	(verb) transmit messages via radio waves; (adjective) indicating radiation or radioactivity
radioactive	7	(adjective) exhibiting or caused by radioactivity
radius	21	(noun) the length of a line segment between the center and circumference of a circle or sphere
rag	7	(verb) play in ragtime; (noun) a small piece of cloth or paper
rage	17	(verb) be violent; as of fires and storms; (noun) a state of extreme anger
raid	15	(verb) search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on; (noun) an attempt by speculators to defraud investors
rail	17	(verb) complain bitterly; (noun) short for railway
railroad	46	(verb) supply with railroad lines
rails	6	(noun) a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
railway	52	(noun) line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
rain	54	(verb) precipitate as rain; (noun) water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
rainbow	6	(noun) an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
rainfall	10	(noun) water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
rainy	5	(adjective) (of weather) wet by periods of rain
raise	63	(verb) raise the level or amount of something; (noun) the amount a salary is increased
raised	94	(adjective) located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
raising	33	(adjective) increasing in quantity or value; (noun) the properties acquired as a consequence of the way you were treated as a child
rally	9	(verb) return to a former condition; (noun) a large gathering of people intended to arouse enthusiasm
ram	14	(verb) strike or drive against with a heavy impact; (noun) a tool for driving or forcing something by impact
ranch	10	(verb) manage or run a ranch; (noun) farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
rand	6	(noun) the basic unit of money in South Africa; equal to 100 cents
random	37	(adjective) lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance
randomly	6	(adverb) in a random manner
range	186	(verb) change or be different within limits; (noun) the limits within which something can be effective
ranger	6	(noun) a member of a military unit trained as shock troops for hit-and-run raids
ranging	18	(adjective) wandering freely
rank	66	(verb) take or have a position relative to others; (adjective) very fertile; producing profuse growth
ranked	6	(adjective) arranged in a sequence of grades or ranks
ranking	10	(noun) position on a scale in relation to others in status or rank or achievement
rape	13	(verb) force (someone) to have sex against their will; (noun) Eurasian plant cultivated for its seed and as a forage crop
rapid	66	(adjective) done or occurring in a brief period of time; (noun) a part of a river where the current is very fast
rapidity	6	(noun) a rate that is rapid
rapidly	63	(adverb) with speed
rare	53	(adjective) not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
rarely	43	(adverb) not often
rash	7	(adjective) imprudently incurring risk; (noun) any red eruption of the skin
rat	20	(verb) desert one's party or group of friends, for example, for one's personal advantage; (noun) any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
rate	263	(verb) assign a rank or rating to; (noun) a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
rates	106	(noun) a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)
rather	362	(adverb) on the contrary
ratification	6	(noun) making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it
rating	25	(noun) standing or position on a scale
ratio	87	(noun) the relative magnitudes of two quantities (usually expressed as a quotient)
ration	8	(verb) restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war; (noun) the food allowance for one day (especially for service personnel)
rational	37	(adjective) consistent with or based on or using reason
rationale	10	(noun) (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
rationality	8	(noun) the state of having good sense and sound judgment
rats	17	(exclamation) used to express mild annoyance or irritation
raven	6	(verb) obtain or seize by violence; (noun) large black bird with a straight bill and long wedge-shaped tail
raw	36	(adjective) not treated with heat to prepare it for eating; (noun) informal terms for nakedness
ray	67	(verb) emit as rays; (noun) a branch of an umbel or an umbelliform inflorescence
re	103	(noun) the syllable naming the second (supertonic) note of any major scale in solmization
reach	231	(verb) reach a destination, either real or abstract; (noun) the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
reaching	35	(noun) the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
react	26	(verb) show a response or a reaction to something
reaction	133	(noun) an idea evoked by some experience
reactionary	5	(adjective) opposed to political or social liberalism or reform; (noun) an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism
reactive	7	(adjective) participating readily in reactions
reactor	11	(noun) an electrical device used to introduce reactance into a circuit
read	222	(verb) interpret something that is written or printed; (noun) something that is read
reader	117	(noun) a person who enjoys reading
readily	47	(adverb) without much difficulty
readiness	10	(noun) the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
reading	158	(noun) the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
ready	108	(adjective) completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress; (noun) poised for action
reagan	11	(noun) 40th President of the United States (1911-2004)
reagent	7	(noun) a chemical agent for use in chemical reactions
real	245	(adjective) being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory; (noun) the basic unit of money in Brazil; equal to 100 centavos
realise	10	(verb) perceive (an idea or situation) mentally
realised	10	(adjective) successfully completed or brought to an end
realism	12	(noun) the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth
realist	5	(noun) a philosopher who believes that universals are real and exist independently of anyone thinking of them
realistic	18	(adjective) aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
reality	109	(noun) the state of being actual or real
realization	18	(noun) coming to understand something clearly and distinctly
realize	52	(verb) make real or concrete; give reality or substance to
realized	49	(adjective) successfully completed or brought to an end
really	198	(adverb) used as intensifiers; 'real' is sometimes used informally for 'really'; 'rattling' is informal
realm	28	(noun) a domain in which something is dominant
reap	7	(verb) gather, as of natural products
reappear	6	(verb) appear again
rear	35	(verb) stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds; (noun) the back of a military formation or procession
reason	339	(verb) decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion; (noun) a rational motive for a belief or action
reasonable	60	(adjective) showing reason or sound judgment
reasonably	22	(adverb) to certain extent or degree
reasoned	6	(adjective) logically valid
reasoning	30	(noun) thinking that is coherent and logical
rebecca	5	(noun) (Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau
rebel	25	(verb) take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance; (noun) 'Johnny' was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; 'greyback' derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
rebellion	22	(noun) refusal to accept some authority or code or convention
rebuild	8	(verb) build again
rebuke	5	(noun) an act or expression of criticism and censure
recall	69	(verb) summon to return; (noun) a request by the manufacturer of a defective product to return the product (as for replacement or repair)
receipt	13	(verb) mark or stamp as paid; (noun) an acknowledgment (usually tangible) that payment has been made
receipts	10	(noun) the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
receive	154	(verb) get something; come into possession of
received	186	(adjective) widely accepted as true or worthy
receiver	19	(noun) set that receives radio or tv signals
recent	122	(adjective) new
recently	75	(adverb) in the recent past
reception	21	(noun) the manner in which something is greeted
receptor	29	(noun) a cellular structure that is postulated to exist in order to mediate between a chemical agent that acts on nervous tissue and the physiological response
recess	6	(verb) put into a recess; (noun) a small concavity
recession	6	(noun) the state of the economy declines; a widespread decline in the GDP and employment and trade lasting from six months to a year
recipe	9	(noun) directions for making something
recipient	17	(noun) a person who receives something
reciprocal	10	(adjective) concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return; (noun) something (a term or expression or concept) that has an inverse relation to something else
recite	10	(verb) repeat aloud from memory
reckon	13	(verb) take account of
recognise	13	(verb) detect with the senses
recognised	16	(adjective) generally approved or compelling recognition
recognition	57	(noun) the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged
recognize	69	(verb) be fully aware or cognizant of
recognized	69	(adjective) provided with a secure reputation
recollect	7	(verb) recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
recollection	13	(noun) something recalled to the mind
recommend	69	(verb) push for something
recommendation	37	(noun) something (as a course of action) that is recommended as advisable
reconcile	7	(verb) come to terms
reconciled	6	(adjective) made compatible or consistent
reconciliation	10	(noun) the reestablishing of cordial relations
reconstruct	6	(verb) reassemble mentally
reconstruction	22	(noun) the activity of constructing something again
record	198	(verb) make a record of; set down in permanent form; (noun) anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
recorded	57	(adjective) set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
recorder	8	(noun) equipment for making records
recording	34	(noun) a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
recount	7	(verb) count again; (noun) an additional (usually a second) count; especially of the votes in a close election
recourse	8	(noun) act of turning to for assistance
recover	21	(verb) get or find back; recover the use of
recovered	23	(adjective) freed from illness or injury
recovering	5	(adjective) returning to health after illness or debility
recovery	41	(noun) return to an original state
recreation	14	(noun) an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
recreational	6	(adjective) of or relating to recreation
recruit	22	(verb) seek to employ; (noun) a recently enlisted soldier
recruitment	8	(noun) the act of getting recruits; enlisting people for the army (or for a job or a cause etc.)
rectangle	6	(noun) a parallelogram with four right angles
rectangular	10	(adjective) having four right angles
rector	6	(noun) a person authorized to conduct religious worship
recurrence	7	(noun) happening again (especially at regular intervals)
recurrent	9	(adjective) recurring again and again
red	168	(adjective) of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies; (noun) red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
reddish	5	(adjective) of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
redemption	11	(noun) (theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
redress	6	(noun) act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
reduce	63	(verb) cut down on; make a reduction in
reduced	94	(adjective) well below normal (especially in price)
reducing	30	(noun) loss of excess weight (as by dieting); becoming slimmer
reduction	69	(noun) any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
redux	16	(adjective) brought back
reed	15	(noun) tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
reef	12	(verb) lower and bring partially inboard; (noun) a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
reel	7	(verb) wind onto or off a reel; (noun) a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
ref	10	(noun) (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play
refer	186	(verb) be relevant to
reference	182	(verb) refer to; (noun) the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
referral	6	(noun) a person whose case has been referred to a specialist or professional group
refined	12	(adjective) (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
refinement	9	(noun) the result of improving something
reflect	63	(verb) manifest or bring back
reflected	41	(adjective) (especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
reflecting	15	(adjective) causing reflection or having a device that reflects
reflection	49	(noun) the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
reflective	6	(adjective) capable of physically reflecting light or sound
reflex	15	(noun) an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus
reform	91	(verb) make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices; (noun) a change for the better as a result of correcting abuses
reformation	14	(noun) improvement (or an intended improvement) in the existing form or condition of institutions or practices etc.; intended to make a striking change for the better in social or political or religious affairs
reformed	8	(adjective) caused to abandon an evil manner of living and follow a good one
reformer	13	(noun) a disputant who advocates reform
refrain	11	(verb) resist doing something; (noun) the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
refrigerator	6	(noun) white goods in which food can be stored at low temperatures
refuge	15	(noun) a shelter from danger or hardship
refugee	19	(noun) an exile who flees for safety
refusal	17	(noun) the act of refusing
refuse	100	(verb) show unwillingness towards
refute	6	(verb) overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
regain	11	(verb) come upon after searching; find the location of something that was missed or lost
regard	209	(verb) look at attentively; (noun) (usually plural) a polite expression of desire for someone's welfare
regarding	62	(preposition) with respect to concerning
regardless	26	(adverb) in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
regeneration	8	(noun) (biology) growth anew of lost tissue or destroyed parts or organs
regent	9	(noun) members of a governing board
regime	46	(noun) the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
regiment	30	(verb) subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization; (noun) army unit smaller than a division
region	197	(noun) the extended spatial location of something
regional	61	(adjective) characteristic of a region
register	40	(verb) record in writing; enter into a book of names or events or transactions; (noun) an official written record of names or events or transactions
registered	24	(adjective) (of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book
registrar	5	(noun) a person employed to keep a record of the owners of stocks and bonds issued by the company
registration	21	(noun) the act of enrolling
regression	19	(noun) (psychiatry) a defense mechanism in which you flee from reality by assuming a more infantile state
regret	22	(verb) feel sad about the loss or absence of
regular	78	(adjective) in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle; (noun) a regular patron
regularity	7	(noun) a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
regularly	27	(adverb) in a regular manner
regulate	16	(verb) fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
regulated	16	(adjective) controlled or governed according to rule or principle or law
regulating	9	(noun) the act of controlling or directing according to rule
regulation	98	(adjective) prescribed by or according to regulation; (noun) an authoritative rule
regulator	7	(noun) any of various controls or devices for regulating or controlling fluid flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
regulatory	17	(adjective) restricting according to rules or principles
rehabilitation	14	(noun) the restoration of someone to a useful place in society
rehearsal	6	(noun) a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
reich	7	(noun) the German state
reid	6	(noun) Scottish philosopher of common sense who opposed the ideas of David Hume (1710-1796)
reign	41	(verb) have sovereign power; (noun) a period during which something or somebody is dominant or powerful
rein	8	(verb) stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins; (noun) one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
reinforce	16	(verb) make stronger
reinforced	15	(adjective) given added strength or support
reinforcement	16	(noun) information that makes more forcible or convincing
reiterate	6	(verb) to say, state, or perform again
reject	29	(verb) refuse to accept or acknowledge
rejected	34	(adjective) rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
rejection	19	(noun) the act of rejecting something
rejoice	11	(verb) feel happiness or joy
relate	83	(verb) give an account of
related	159	(adjective) being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
relation	120	(noun) an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together
relational	7	(adjective) having a relation or being related
relations	151	(noun) mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
relationship	232	(noun) a relation between people; ('relationship' is often used where 'relation' would serve, as in 'the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of 'relationship' is for human relations or states of relatedness)
relative	126	(adjective) estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete; (noun) a person related by blood or marriage
relatively	92	(adverb) in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
relax	10	(verb) become less tense, rest, or take one's ease
relaxation	15	(noun) (physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
relaxed	12	(adjective) without strain or anxiety
relay	9	(verb) pass along; (noun) the act of passing something along from one person or group to another
release	89	(verb) part with a possession or right; (noun) merchandise issued for sale or public showing (especially a record or film)
releasing	5	(adjective) emotionally purging (of e.g. art)
relevance	13	(noun) the relation of something to the matter at hand
relevant	55	(adjective) having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
reliability	17	(noun) the quality of being dependable or reliable
reliable	24	(adjective) worthy of reliance or trust
reliance	13	(noun) certainty based on past experience
relic	8	(noun) an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
relief	66	(noun) the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
relieve	16	(verb) provide physical relief, as from pain
relieved	16	(adjective) extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
religion	143	(noun) a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
religious	157	(adjective) having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity; (noun) a member of a religious order who is bound by vows of poverty and chastity and obedience
reluctance	8	(noun) (physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
reluctant	12	(adjective) disinclined to become involved
reluctantly	6	(adverb) with reluctance
rely	47	(verb) have faith or confidence in
remain	209	(verb) be left; of persons, questions, problems, results, evidence, etc.
remainder	23	(verb) sell cheaply as remainders; (noun) something left after other parts have been taken away
remaining	55	(adjective) not used up
remains	101	(noun) any object that is left unused or still extant
remark	83	(noun) a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
remarkable	49	(adjective) unusual or striking
remarkably	12	(adverb) to a remarkable degree or extent
remedy	37	(verb) provide relief for; (noun) a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
remember	157	(verb) recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
remembering	10	(noun) the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
remembrance	7	(noun) the ability to recall past occurrences
remind	43	(verb) put in the mind of someone
reminder	8	(noun) a message that helps you remember something
reminiscence	6	(noun) a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
reminiscent	5	(adjective) serving to bring to mind
remnant	10	(noun) a piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold
remote	36	(adjective) very unlikely; (noun) a device that can be used to control a machine or apparatus from a distance
removal	38	(noun) the act of removing
remove	72	(verb) remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract; (noun) degree of figurative distance or separation
removed	78	(adjective) separate or apart in time
renaissance	19	(noun) the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries
renal	20	(adjective) of or relating to the kidneys
render	70	(verb) cause to become; (noun) a substance similar to stucco but exclusively applied to masonry walls
rendering	13	(noun) a coat of stucco applied to a masonry wall
renew	6	(verb) reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new
renewal	13	(noun) the act of renewing
renewed	18	(adjective) restored to a new condition
renounce	8	(verb) leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily
renowned	5	(adjective) widely known and esteemed
rent	47	(verb) let for money; (noun) a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service
rental	11	(adjective) available to rent or lease; (noun) the act of paying for the use of something (as an apartment or house or car)
reorganization	9	(noun) the imposition of a new organization; organizing differently (often involving extensive and drastic changes)
repair	47	(verb) restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken; (noun) the act of putting something in working order again
repay	8	(verb) act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions
repeal	13	(verb) cancel officially; (noun) the act of abrogating; an official or legal cancellation
repeat	33	(verb) to say, state, or perform again; (noun) an event that repeats
repeated	55	(adjective) recurring again and again
repeatedly	19	(adverb) several time
repeating	9	(noun) the act of doing or performing again
repent	6	(verb) turn away from sin or do penitence
repentance	7	(noun) remorse for your past conduct
repetition	18	(noun) the act of doing or performing again
replace	71	(verb) substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
replacement	21	(noun) the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
replacing	9	(noun) the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
replicate	6	(verb) reproduce or make an exact copy of
replication	7	(noun) (genetics) the process whereby DNA makes a copy of itself before cell division
reply	109	(noun) the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange
report	291	(verb) to give an account or representation of in words; (noun) a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
reported	118	(adjective) made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
reporter	21	(noun) a person who investigates and reports or edits news stories
reporting	24	(noun) the news as presented by reporters for newspapers or radio or television
repose	8	(verb) put or confide something in a person or thing; (noun) a disposition free from stress or emotion
represent	164	(verb) take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
representation	73	(noun) a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
representative	97	(adjective) standing for something else; (noun) a person who represents others
represented	85	(adjective) represented accurately or precisely
repression	9	(noun) a state of forcible subjugation
reprint	29	(verb) print anew
reproach	10	(verb) express criticism towards; (noun) a mild rebuke or criticism
reproduce	32	(verb) make a copy or equivalent of
reproduction	22	(noun) the process of generating offspring
reproductive	11	(adjective) producing new life or offspring
republic	68	(noun) a form of government whose head of state is not a monarch
republican	46	(adjective) relating to or belonging to the Republican Party; (noun) an advocate of a republic (usually in opposition to a monarchy)
repudiate	5	(verb) refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
reputation	35	(noun) notoriety for some particular characteristic
repute	5	(noun) the state of being held in high esteem and honor
request	76	(verb) express the need or desire for; (noun) a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
requested	21	(adjective) asked for
require	200	(verb) have need of
required	212	(adjective) necessary for relief or supply
requirement	112	(noun) required activity
requisite	12	(adjective) necessary for relief or supply; (noun) anything indispensable
res	22	(noun) a widely distributed system consisting of all the cells able to ingest bacteria or colloidal particles etc, except for certain white blood cells
rescue	16	(verb) free from harm or evil; (noun) recovery or preservation from loss or danger
research	293	(verb) attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner; (noun) systematic investigation to establish facts
researcher	35	(noun) a scientist who devotes himself to doing research
resemblance	14	(noun) similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
resemble	39	(verb) appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
resent	9	(verb) feel bitter or indignant about
resentment	11	(noun) a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
reservation	20	(noun) a district that is reserved for particular purpose
reserve	41	(verb) hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency; (noun) something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose
reserved	30	(adjective) set aside for the use of a particular person or party
reserves	19	(noun) civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
reservoir	15	(noun) a large or extra supply of something
reside	24	(verb) make one's home in a particular place or community
residence	36	(noun) any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
resident	49	(adjective) living in a particular place; (noun) someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
residential	15	(adjective) used or designed for residence or limited to residences
residual	16	(adjective) relating to or indicating a remainder; (noun) (often plural) a payment that is made to a performer or writer or director of a television show or commercial that is paid for every repeat showing
residue	16	(noun) matter that remains after something has been removed
resign	21	(verb) accept as inevitable
resignation	11	(noun) acceptance of despair
resin	11	(noun) any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules
resist	41	(verb) stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something
resistance	90	(noun) the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
resistant	13	(adjective) impervious to being affected
resolution	73	(noun) a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
resolve	22	(verb) make clearly visible
resolved	33	(adjective) explained or answered
resolving	6	(noun) analysis into clear-cut components
resonance	13	(noun) an excited state of a stable particle causing a sharp maximum in the probability of absorption of electromagnetic radiation
resort	31	(noun) a hotel located in a resort area
resource	165	(noun) available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
respect	171	(verb) regard highly; think much of; (noun) (usually preceded by 'in') a detail or point
respectable	12	(adjective) characterized by socially or conventionally acceptable morals
respected	15	(adjective) receiving deferential regard
respective	27	(adjective) considered individually
respectively	53	(adverb) in the order given
respects	25	(noun) (often used with 'pay') a formal expression of esteem
respiration	10	(noun) the metabolic processes whereby certain organisms obtain energy from organic molecules; processes that take place in the cells and tissues during which energy is released and carbon dioxide is produced and absorbed by the blood to be transported to the lungs
respiratory	19	(adjective) pertaining to respiration
respond	71	(verb) respond favorably or as hoped
respondent	28	(noun) the codefendant (especially in a divorce proceeding) who is accused of adultery with the corespondent
response	187	(noun) a result
responsibility	107	(noun) a form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct
responsible	80	(adjective) worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
responsive	8	(adjective) containing or using responses; alternating
rest	192	(verb) not move; be in a resting position; (noun) freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
restaurant	29	(noun) a building where people go to eat
rested	13	(adjective) not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
restless	9	(adjective) lacking or not affording physical or mental rest
restoration	23	(noun) the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state
restore	52	(verb) return to its original or usable and functioning condition
restrain	10	(verb) to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement
restrained	7	(adjective) under restraint
restraint	18	(noun) the act of controlling by restraining someone or something
restrict	11	(verb) place restrictions on
restricted	31	(adjective) subject to restriction or subjected to restriction
restriction	41	(noun) a principle that limits the extent of something
restrictive	8	(adjective) serving to restrict
restructure	9	(verb) construct or form anew or provide with a new structure
result	604	(verb) issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end; (noun) something that results
resultant	9	(noun) the final point in a process
resume	25	(verb) take up or begin anew
resurrection	13	(noun) a revival from inactivity and disuse
retail	17	(adverb) at a retail price; (verb) be sold at the retail level
retailer	7	(noun) a merchant who sells goods at retail
retain	40	(verb) hold back within
retained	29	(adjective) continued in your keeping or use or memory
retardation	6	(noun) the extent to which something is delayed or held back
retarded	7	(adjective) relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development
retention	14	(noun) the act of retaining something
retina	6	(noun) the innermost light-sensitive membrane covering the back wall of the eyeball; it is continuous with the optic nerve
retire	11	(verb) go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
retired	23	(adjective) no longer active in your work or profession
retirement	23	(noun) the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
retort	6	(verb) answer back; (noun) a vessel where substances are distilled or decomposed by heat
retreat	26	(verb) move away, as for privacy; (noun) (military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
retrieval	9	(noun) (computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory
retrieve	12	(verb) go for and bring back
return	337	(verb) go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before; (noun) a coming to or returning home
returning	32	(adjective) tending to return to an earlier state
rev	9	(verb) increase the number of rotations per minute; (noun) rate of revolution of a motor
reveal	99	(verb) disclose directly or through prophets
revealing	11	(adjective) showing or making known
revelation	28	(noun) an enlightening or astonishing disclosure
revenge	14	(verb) take revenge for a perceived wrong
revenue	63	(noun) the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
reverence	11	(verb) regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of; (noun) a reverent mental attitude
reverend	9	(adjective) worthy of adoration or reverence; (noun) a title of respect for a clergyman
reversal	10	(noun) a change from one state to the opposite state
reverse	32	(adjective) of the transmission gear causing backward movement in a motor vehicle; (noun) a relation of direct opposition
reversed	15	(adjective) turned inside out and resewn
revert	5	(verb) go back to a previous state
review	180	(verb) look at again; examine again; (noun) an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
reviewer	6	(noun) someone who reads manuscripts and judges their suitability for publication
revised	24	(adjective) improved or brought up to date
revision	20	(noun) the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification)
revival	15	(noun) bringing again into activity and prominence
revived	9	(adjective) restored to consciousness or life or vigor
revolt	20	(verb) make revolution
revolution	101	(noun) a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
revolutionary	44	(adjective) relating to or having the nature of a revolution
revolve	9	(verb) turn on or around an axis or a center
reward	46	(verb) act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions; (noun) payment made in return for a service rendered
rewrite	6	(verb) write differently; alter the writing of; (noun) something that has been written again
reynolds	10	(noun) English portrait painter and first president of the Royal Academy (1723-1792)
rf	5	(noun) a substance produced by the hypothalamus that is capable of accelerating the secretion of a given hormone by the anterior pituitary gland
rhetoric	17	(noun) using language effectively to please or persuade
rhetorical	8	(adjective) of or relating to rhetoric
rhine	7	(noun) United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)
rhodes	6	(noun) British colonial financier and statesman in South Africa; made a fortune in gold and diamond mining; helped colonize the territory now known as Zimbabwe; he endowed annual fellowships for British Commonwealth and United States students to study at Oxford University (1853-1902)
rhyme	7	(verb) compose rhymes; (noun) correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
rhythm	23	(noun) the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
rhythmic	6	(adjective) recurring with measured regularity
rib	13	(verb) form vertical ribs by knitting; (noun) support resembling the rib of an animal
ribbon	9	(noun) any long object resembling a thin line
rice	37	(verb) sieve so that it becomes the consistency of rice; (noun) grains used as food either unpolished or more often polished
rich	103	(adjective) possessing material wealth
richards	6	(noun) English literary critic who collaborated with C. K. Ogden and contributed to the development of Basic English (1893-1979)
richardson	10	(noun) United States architect (1838-1886)
riches	9	(noun) an abundance of material possessions and resources
richly	6	(adverb) in a rich manner
richmond	14	(noun) capital of the state of Virginia located in the east central part of the state; was capital of the Confederacy during the American Civil War
richness	5	(noun) the quality of having high intrinsic value
rico	8	(noun) law intended to eradicate organized crime by establishing strong sanctions and forfeiture provisions
rid	17	(verb) relieve from
ride	53	(verb) sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions; (noun) a mechanical device that you ride for amusement or excitement
rider	11	(noun) a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
ridge	28	(verb) extend in ridges; (noun) a long narrow natural elevation or striation
ridicule	8	(verb) subject to laughter or ridicule; (noun) language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
ridiculous	10	(adjective) inspiring scornful pity
riding	20	(noun) the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
rifle	18	(verb) go through in search of something; search through someone's belongings in an unauthorized way; (noun) a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
right	733	(adverb) precisely, exactly; (verb) make reparations or amends for
righteous	9	(adjective) characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of morality or justice
righteousness	12	(noun) adhering to moral principles
rightly	13	(adverb) with honesty
rigid	20	(adjective) designating an airship or dirigible having a form maintained by a stiff unyielding frame or structure
rigidity	5	(noun) the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
rigorous	8	(adjective) rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
rim	11	(verb) run around the rim of; (noun) the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
ring	58	(verb) sound loudly and sonorously; (noun) a characteristic sound
ringing	6	(noun) the giving of a ring as a token of engagement
rings	16	(noun) gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
rio	14	(noun) the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
riot	13	(verb) take part in a riot; disturb the public peace by engaging in a riot; (noun) a public act of violence by an unruly mob
ripe	9	(adjective) fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used
rise	129	(verb) move upward; (noun) a growth in strength or number or importance
risen	13	(adjective) (of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
rising	48	(adjective) advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
risk	148	(verb) expose to a chance of loss or damage; (noun) a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury
rite	18	(noun) an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
ritual	34	(adjective) of or relating to or characteristic of religious rituals; (noun) any customary observance or practice
rival	27	(verb) be the rival of, be in competition with; (noun) the contestant you hope to defeat
rivalry	9	(noun) the act of competing as for profit or a prize
river	205	(noun) a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
rna	12	(noun) (biochemistry) a long linear polymer of nucleotides found in the nucleus but mainly in the cytoplasm of a cell where it is associated with microsomes; it transmits genetic information from DNA to the cytoplasm and controls certain chemical processes in the cell
road	139	(noun) an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
roads	35	(noun) a partly sheltered anchorage
roam	5	(verb) move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
roar	11	(verb) make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles; (noun) the sound made by a lion
rob	16	(verb) take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
robber	6	(noun) a thief who steals from someone by threatening violence
robbery	7	(noun) larceny by threat of violence
robe	12	(noun) any loose flowing garment
robert	102	(noun) United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
roberts	12	(noun) United States biochemist (born in England) honored for his discovery that some genes contain introns (born in 1943)
robertson	9	(noun) United States basketball guard (born in 1938)
robin	11	(noun) small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
robinson	18	(noun) English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
robot	8	(noun) a mechanism that can move automatically
robust	8	(adjective) sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
rochester	6	(noun) a city in western New York; a center of the photographic equipment industry
rock	122	(verb) move back and forth or sideways; (noun) a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
rocket	9	(verb) shoot up abruptly, like a rocket; (noun) any vehicle self-propelled by a rocket engine
rocky	14	(adjective) abounding in rocks or stones
rod	29	(noun) a long thin implement made of metal or wood
rogers	12	(noun) United States humorist remembered for his homespun commentary on politics and American society (1879-1935)
role	224	(noun) normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting
roll	40	(verb) move by turning over or rotating; (noun) a list of names
rolled	19	(adjective) uttered with a trill
roller	8	(noun) a grounder that rolls along the infield
rolling	19	(noun) the act of robbing a helpless person
rom	11	(noun) (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
roman	82	(noun) a typeface used in ancient Roman inscriptions; (adjective) relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
romance	21	(verb) have a love affair with; (noun) a novel dealing with idealized events remote from everyday life
romans	20	(noun) a New Testament book containing an exposition of the doctrines of Saint Paul; written in AD 58
romantic	26	(adjective) belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts; (noun) a soulful or amorous idealist
rome	67	(noun) capital and largest city of Italy; on the Tiber; seat of the Roman Catholic Church; formerly the capital of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire
roof	39	(verb) provide a building with a roof; cover a building with a roof; (noun) a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
room	242	(noun) an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
rooms	44	(noun) apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
roosevelt	24	(noun) 32nd President of the United States; elected four times; instituted New Deal to counter the Great Depression and led country during World War II (1882-1945)
root	49	(verb) take root and begin to grow; (noun) (botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
rooted	12	(adjective) absolutely still
roots	39	(noun) the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
rope	22	(verb) fasten with a rope; (noun) a strong line
rosa	6	(noun) large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses
rose	90	(adjective) of something having a dusty purplish pink color; (noun) any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
ross	16	(noun) Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
rot	5	(verb) become physically weaker; (noun) unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements)
rotate	14	(verb) exchange on a regular basis
rotation	23	(noun) the act of rotating as if on an axis
rotor	5	(noun) the rotating armature of a motor or generator
rough	36	(adjective) having or caused by an irregular surface; (noun) the part of a golf course bordering the fairway where the grass is not cut short
roughly	21	(adverb) with roughness or violence ('rough' is an informal variant for 'roughly')
round	126	(adverb) from beginning to end; throughout; (verb) wind around; move along a circular course
rounded	15	(adjective) curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
rouse	9	(verb) cause to become awake or conscious
rousseau	8	(noun) French philosopher and writer born in Switzerland; believed that the natural goodness of man was warped by society; ideas influenced the French Revolution (1712-1778)
route	64	(verb) send documents or materials to appropriate destinations
routine	32	(noun) an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
routinely	5	(adverb) according to routine or established practice
row	60	(verb) propel with oars; (noun) an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
royal	89	(adjective) of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch; (noun) a sail set next above the topgallant on a royal mast
royalty	10	(noun) payment to the holder of a patent or copyright or resource for the right to use their property
rub	13	(verb) move over something with pressure; (noun) the act of rubbing or wiping
rubber	24	(adjective) returned for lack of funds; (noun) an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees (especially trees of the genera Hevea and Ficus) that can be vulcanized and finished into a variety of products
rubbing	5	(noun) representation consisting of a copy (as of an engraving) made by laying paper over something and rubbing it with charcoal
ruby	5	(noun) a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
rude	11	(adjective) (used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
rue	8	(noun) European strong-scented perennial herb with grey-green bitter-tasting leaves; an irritant similar to poison ivy
rug	6	(noun) floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
rugged	6	(adjective) sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
ruin	31	(verb) destroy or cause to fail; (noun) an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
ruined	11	(adjective) brought to ruin
rule	298	(verb) decide with authority; (noun) a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
ruled	21	(adjective) subject to a ruling authority
ruler	33	(noun) a person who rules or commands
ruling	25	(noun) the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself); (adjective) exercising power or authority
rumor	10	(verb) tell or spread rumors; (noun) gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
rumour	6	(verb) tell or spread rumors; (noun) gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
run	245	(verb) move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time; (noun) a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
runner	7	(noun) someone who travels on foot by running
running	81	(noun) the state of being in operation
rupee	5	(noun) the basic unit of money in Sri Lanka; equal to 100 cents
rupture	11	(noun) state of being torn or burst open
rural	66	(adjective) living in or characteristic of farming or country life
rush	22	(verb) move hurridly; (noun) a sudden forceful flow
rushed	14	(adjective) done under pressure
rushing	7	(noun) (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
russell	23	(noun) United States religious leader who founded the sect that is now called Jehovah's Witnesses (1852-1916)
russia	64	(noun) a former empire in eastern Europe and northern Asia created in the 14th century with Moscow as the capital; powerful in the 17th and 18th centuries under Peter the Great and Catherine the Great when Saint Petersburg was the capital; overthrown by revolution in 1917
russian	71	(adjective) of or pertaining to or characteristic of Russia or its people or culture or language; (noun) a native or inhabitant of Russia
ruth	14	(noun) United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)