rankle
verb /ˈræŋkl/
/ˈræŋkl/
[intransitive, transitive]Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they rankle | /ˈræŋkl/ /ˈræŋkl/ |
| he / she / it rankles | /ˈræŋklz/ /ˈræŋklz/ |
| past simple rankled | /ˈræŋkld/ /ˈræŋkld/ |
| past participle rankled | /ˈræŋkld/ /ˈræŋkld/ |
| -ing form rankling | /ˈræŋklɪŋ/ /ˈræŋklɪŋ/ |
- if something such as an event or a remark rankles, it makes you feel angry or upset for a long time
- rankle (somebody) Her comments still rankled.
- rankle with somebody His decision to sell the land still rankled with her.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French rancler, from rancle, draoncle ‘festering sore’, from an alteration of medieval Latin dracunculus, diminutive of draco ‘serpent’.