What does rankle mean?
To rankle is to irritate someone in a way that persists, often because a remark, decision, or event revives an old grievance. The word suggests more than momentary annoyance: a rankle can remain uncomfortable in someone's mind long after the original incident has passed. It can be used transitively, as in 'the decision rankled her', or with a person as its subject, as in 'she rankled for days'. As a noun, a rankle means a lingering feeling of resentment or irritation, though this use is less common and has a more literary tone. The word is especially useful when describing small grievances that continue to affect relationships, work, or self-confidence over time.
To cause persistent irritation, annoyance, or resentment in someone.
"The unfair allocation of duties rankled several members of the team."
Often transitive, as in 'the remark rankled him', but it may also be used intransitively with a person as the subject.
A persistent feeling of irritation or resentment, or something that causes such a feeling.
"Being overlooked for the promotion remained a rankle in her relationship with the company."
This noun is relatively uncommon and has a formal or literary tone.
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon in modern usage.
"Old disagreements continued to create rankles among the former colleagues."
A rankle is the tiny old grievance that can keep its own company for years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rankle come from?
English borrowed the word in Middle English as ranklen, from Old French rancler. The Old French term was used for a swelling, soreness, or similar condition and came to carry the sense of persistent irritation. Its deeper origin is uncertain, so it should not confidently be connected to unrelated words merely because they suggest rancidity or resentment.
Related word forms
How rankle is actually used
The verb is common in standard British and American English and is often stronger or more enduring than simply 'annoy'. The noun is comparatively rare and sounds formal or literary.
Easily confused with rankle
To rankle is to cause persistent irritation or resentment, whereas to rank is to place something in an order or assign it a position.
Rancid describes food or oil that has developed an unpleasant smell or taste through decay, while rankle refers to a feeling of annoyance or resentment.