# rash

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɹæʃ/ · frequency rank #11,772

## Definitions
1. Acting too quickly without considering the consequences and risks; not careful; hasty.
2. Of corn or other grains: so dry as to fall out of the ear with handling.
3. Requiring swift action; pressing; urgent.
4. Taking effect quickly and strongly; fast-acting.

## Etymology
The adjective is derived from Middle English rash, rasch (“hasty, headstrong, rash”) [and other forms], probably from Old English *ræsċ (“rash”) (found in derivatives such as ræsċan (“to move rapidly; to flicker; to flash; to glitter; to quiver”), ræsċettan (“to crackle, sparkle”), etc.), from Proto-West Germanic *rask, *raskī, *rasku, from Proto-Germanic *raskaz, *raskuz, *raþskaz, *raþskuz (“rash; rapid”), from Proto-Indo-European *Hreth₂- (“to run, roll”). The Middle English word was probably influenced by the cognates listed below.
The adverb is derived from Middle English rashe (“quickly, rapidly”), from rash, rasch (adjective) (see above).
Cognates
* Dutch ras, rasch (“rash”)
* Middle Low German rasch (“rash”)
* Old Danish rask (“agile, nimble; fast; healthy, vigorous”) (modern Danish rask (“agile, nimble; fast; healthy, vigorous; hasty, rash”))
* Old High German reski (“impetuous, rash”) (Middle High German rasch, resch (“agile, nimble; fast; lively; healthy, vigorous”), modern German rasch, räsch, resch (“agile, nimble; fast; hasty, rash; healthy, vigorous; of food: crisp, crusty”))
* Old Norse rǫskr (“brave; healthy, vigorous”) (Icelandic röskur (“strong; healthy, vigorous”))
* Old Swedish rasker (“agile, nimble; brave; fast; vigorous”) (modern Swedish rask (“agile, nimble; fast; healthy, vigorous”))

## Easily confused with
- **RS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rs)
- **RH** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rh)
- **ray** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-ray)
- **raw** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-raw)
- **rat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rat)
- **res** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-res)
- **RSS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rss)
- **ROS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-ros)
- **RSA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rsa)
- **Rus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rus)
- **Roh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-roh)
- **rav** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rav)
- **RSI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rsi)
- **RSL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rsl)
- **rest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rest)
- **rate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rate)
- **risk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-risk)
- **rich** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rich)
- **rose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rose)
- **rise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rash-vs-rise)

## Common misspellings (6)
`arsh`, `rahs`, `rashh`, `rassh`, `rrash`, `rsah`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/rash