What does ranting mean?
Ranting is the present participle of rant and also functions as an adjective and an uncountable noun. It describes speech that is loud, angry, prolonged, and often irrational or exaggerated. In ordinary use, it carries a derogatory or impatient tone: calling someone’s remarks “ranting” suggests that their emotional force has displaced reasoned discussion. The word can describe the manner of the speech (“a ranting monologue”), the act itself (“the speaker’s ranting”), or a person’s tendency to speak that way. Although it may be performative rather than genuinely irrational, “ranting” usually implies a loss of control or balance. It is common in both British and American English and is usually informal. Because it focuses on the manner and emotional character of speech, it often appears in criticism of political speeches, online arguments, and public confrontations. Nevertheless, “ranting” can also be used neutrally in discussion of forceful or impassioned speaking.
Present participle of rant: speaking loudly and angrily, often at length and with excited or unreasonable emphasis.
"She was ranting about the noise from the neighboring apartment."
Often derogatory or impatient in tone.
Describing speech or a speaker as loud, angry, prolonged, and often unreasonable or exaggerated.
"The campaign released a ranting video attacking its opponents."
Commonly used before words such as “monologue,” “speech,” and “outburst.”
The act or habit of speaking loudly and angrily, often at length or with unreasonable emphasis.
"His ranting exhausted everyone in the room."
Normally uncountable; the plural “rantings” is uncommon.
Ranting is normally an uncountable noun, but “rantings” can be used rarely for separate acts of ranting.
"The recording contains several distinct rantings about modern technology."
The word behind the shouting is Dutch ranten, once used simply for noisy chatter or nonsense talk.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ranting come from?
Ranting is formed from rant with the suffix -ing. The English verb rant was borrowed from Dutch ranten, an older word meaning to chatter, babble, or talk nonsense; its modern sense of loud, angry, unreasonable speech developed during its use in English. Related Germanic forms preserve older senses connected with chatter, foolish talk, or wandering discourse.
Related word forms
How ranting is actually used
Informal and usually derogatory, although it may neutrally describe forceful or impassioned speaking. As a noun it is normally uncountable, though the plural “rantings” is occasionally used.
Easily confused with ranting
Ranting emphasizes loud, angry, prolonged speech, whereas raving can describe speech that is delirious, irrational, or incomprehensible.