rummage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rummage' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of searching a place or a container in a frantic, disorganized manner. For example, "I had to rummage around my backpack for my phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MO'L If you ever feel the urge to rummage around other people's homes, you'll be intrigued by this website.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If she were to rummage down the back of the sofa, would she find them, a bit crumpled but otherwise nice and youthful?

The Guardian - Opinion

My mother went to a rummage sale and came back with a pile of William books written by Richmal Crompton, a person I assumed to be a man.

The Guardian - Books

As idle taxi drivers and peanut hawkers look on in envy, a handful of well-to-do Iraqis rummage through racks of linen suits, pick over piles of plaid shirts and try on designer jeans.

The Economist

British journalists shun complete respectability, feeling a duty to be ready to savage the mighty, or rummage through their bins.

The Economist

The recovery of this population has been so successful that it could be taken off the endangered list.The grizzly bear's most recent decline in the Yellowstone area began in the 1960s, when hungry bears began to rummage through rubbish skips and picnic baskets.

The Economist

The third reason might just encourage the philatelists of the world to go and have a good rummage through their albums: the growing number of rich people in the world, due particularly to China's turbo-charged economic rise, has increased the premium for collectible items.

The Economist

I have on occasion (whisper it) been one of those frightful people that holds up the queue for a minute or two while I stack my luggage and rummage through my pockets for my boarding pass; as if the need to present it at security had come as a complete surprise.

The Economist

America's Supreme Court has also acknowledged the importance of waste, ruling that police may rummage through trash left out for collection without a warrant.

The Economist

It is good to have one with three compartments as it is embarrassing if you have to rummage for a pen and notebook at a meeting and find your dirty laundry emerging from the bag.

The Economist

"Enemy agents are found under gooseberry bushes and intelligence is brought by the storks".Allowing academics to rummage in secret files presents problems both for the spooks and the academics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rummage" when you want to convey a sense of hurried, disorganized searching, often among a collection of items. For example, "I had to rummage through my bag to find my keys."

Common error

Avoid using "rummage" if you're describing a methodical or organized search. "Rummage" suggests a lack of order and urgency. Instead, opt for terms like "search", "examine", or "inspect" when describing careful, systematic searches.

Linguistic Context

The word "rummage" primarily functions as a verb, describing the action of searching through something in a disorganized or hurried manner. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts like "rummaging through a bag" or "rummaging through trash cans."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rummage" is a verb used to describe the act of searching through something in a disorganized and often hurried manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as in everyday language. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid using "rummage" when describing careful or systematic searches. Instead, consider alternatives like "root around" or "search through" for similar meanings. The high frequency of examples indicates its widespread use in various publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

root around

Focuses on the act of searching by digging or turning things over.

ferret about

Emphasizes a persistent and thorough search, often for something hidden.

dig around

Similar to "root around" but can also imply searching for information.

search through

A general term for looking carefully through something.

scour through

Implies a very thorough and often hurried search.

comb through

Suggests a systematic and careful search.

sift through

Suggests carefully examining items, separating what is needed from what is not.

delve into

Indicates a deep and thorough investigation, often into documents or records.

hunt for

Implies a dedicated search for a specific item.

check over

Implies inspecting something closely but not necessarily in a disorganized manner.

FAQs

How can I use "rummage" in a sentence?

You can use "rummage" to describe searching for something in a disorganized way, like, "She began to "rummage through" her purse for her keys."

What are some synonyms for "rummage"?

Some synonyms for "rummage" include "root around", "ferret about", or "search through", each conveying a slightly different nuance of searching.

Is "rummage" a formal or informal word?

"Rummage" is generally considered an informal word, suitable for everyday conversation and writing. It may not be appropriate for highly formal or technical contexts.

What is the difference between "rummage" and "search"?

"Search" implies a more general and often more organized effort to find something. "Rummage", on the other hand, suggests a hurried and somewhat disorganized search, often among a collection of items.