range
range — verb
1. to stretch or vary between a lowest and a highest point in measurements such as
to stretch or vary between a lowest and a highest point in measurements such as age, price, temperature, or size
Concert tickets range from thirty dollars for balcony seats to about eighty near the stage.
range + from + (minimum) + to + (maximum) — price range
Henry's collection of rare books ranges from seventeenth-century poetry to modern comics.
Summer temperatures in this town range between twenty-two and thirty-five degrees.
range + between + (minimum) + and + (maximum)
Symptoms of this illness can range from mild headaches to serious breathing problems.
The company offers salaries that range from thirty to sixty thousand pounds a year.
passive construction: (subject) + that + range + from...to...
- range from
- range between
- range widely
- range roughly
Grammar Patterns
range + from + (minimum) + to + (maximum)
range + between + (minimum) + and + (maximum)
Usage Note
Most commonly used in the pattern 'range from X to Y' or 'range between X and Y'. Subject is typically a measurable set: prices, ages, temperatures, sizes, or levels.
Common Mistakes
2. to place or arrange people or things in a particular order or position, especial
to place or arrange people or things in a particular order or position, especially in straight lines or rows
The librarian ranged the new books on the shelf according to the author's last name.
transitive: range + noun + prepositional phrase
On the wall, the family photographs were ranged in a neat row above the fireplace.
passive: be ranged + prepositional phrase
The gardener ranged the potted plants along the edge of the stone path.
The ancient vases were ranged in order from the oldest to the most recent.
passive: be ranged in order from...to...
- range in rows
- range in order
- range along
- be ranged against
Grammar Patterns
range + noun + (prepositional phrase)
be ranged + (prepositional phrase)
Usage Note
Frequently used in the passive voice. Less common in everyday conversation; more likely in descriptive or formal writing. The object is usually a group of similar items or people.
3. to pass freely across or through a wide region, changing location repeatedly wit
to pass freely across or through a wide region, changing location repeatedly with no fixed stopping point
Wild deer range through these forests at night, searching for food and water.
intransitive: range + through + (area)
The cattle ranged freely across the open grasslands during the summer months.
Hiro's eyes ranged slowly across the crowded room, looking for a familiar face.
metaphorical use: (eyes/gaze) + range + across + (area)
The wolves ranged over a huge territory before returning to their den near the river.
Explorers ranged across the unknown mountains, mapping every valley and river.
- range across
- range through
- range over
- range freely
- range far and wide
Grammar Patterns
range + (prepositional phrase)
range + over/across/through + (area)
Usage Note
Often used with animals in their natural habitat. Can also be used metaphorically for eyes, gaze, or thoughts moving freely. The transitive form (e.g., 'range the forest') is more formal or literary.
4. to include or deal with many different subjects or topics within a single piece
to include or deal with many different subjects or topics within a single piece of writing, speech, or discussion
The professor's lecture ranged over topics from ancient philosophy to modern technology.
range + over + (topic area)
Our discussion ranged across many subjects, including politics, art, and science.
The article ranges widely over the history of jazz music in twentieth-century America.
range + widely + over + (topic)
In the meeting, the conversation ranged from staff concerns to plans for next year.
range + from + (topic) + to + (topic) — topic span
- range over
- range across
- range widely
- range from...to...
Grammar Patterns
range + over/across + (topic/subject)
range + widely
Usage Note
Subject is always a piece of writing (article, book), speech (lecture, talk), or conversation (discussion, debate). Not used for a single focused topic — the sense requires multiple subjects being covered.
Common Mistakes
range — noun
1. a number of different things of the same general type, from which you can choose
a number of different things of the same general type, from which you can choose or that exist together
The shop sells a wide range of organic vegetables, from carrots to kale.
a wide range of + plural noun
Our school offers a range of language courses for all skill levels.
offers a range of
The museum exhibition covers a broad range of topics in modern art.
The library has an impressive range of books on Japanese history and culture.
- wide range of
- broad range of
- full range of
- limited range of
- a range of options
- variety
broader; focuses on diversity rather than set membership
- selection
emphasises being available to choose from
- assortment
less common; suggests a mixed collection
Grammar Patterns
a range of + plural noun
Common Mistakes
2. all the goods that a company makes and sells together under one brand name or th
all the goods that a company makes and sells together under one brand name or theme
The company launched a new range of eco-friendly cleaning products last spring.
launched a new range of [products]
This autumn the brand introduced a winter clothing range made from recycled materials.
Their budget furniture range is popular with students and first-time buyers.
budget / premium / mid-range [product] range
The car manufacturer plans to add two electric models to its current range.
- product range
- new range
- budget range
- mid-range
- premium range
- launch a range
- line
shorter; common in business contexts ('product line')
- collection
often used for fashion or design ranges
Grammar Patterns
[company] + range + of + [products]
Usage Note
Commonly paired with adjectives showing price level: budget range, mid-range, premium range.
Common Mistakes
3. a connected row or cluster of high land formations such as mountains or hills th
a connected row or cluster of high land formations such as mountains or hills that sit next to each other
The Himalayan mountain range stretches across five countries in South Asia.
mountain range stretches across [area]
A thick layer of snow covered the mountain range after the winter storm passed.
The village sits at the foot of a low range of hills overlooking the valley.
range of hills
The Andes range runs along the western coast of South America for seven thousand kilometres.
- mountain range
- range of hills
- across the range
- foot of the range
Grammar Patterns
range of + mountains / hills
4. the space between the smallest and largest possible amounts, numbers, or levels
the space between the smallest and largest possible amounts, numbers, or levels that something can vary across
The temperature range in this desert is over thirty degrees between day and night.
temperature range / [value] range
Our salary range for this position is between forty and fifty thousand dollars a year.
salary range / within a [value] range
Students in the class showed a surprisingly wide range of reading abilities.
The job is best suited to people whose experience falls within a certain age range.
age range / falls within a range
- within range
- outside the range
- wide range
- narrow range
- price range
- age range
- temperature range
Grammar Patterns
range of + amount / number / level
within a range
outside the range
Usage Note
Often used with 'wide' or 'narrow' to describe how much variation exists. Also paired with prepositions like 'within', 'outside', 'between'.
Common Mistakes
5. the greatest distance from which sight, hearing, or physical reach works, or a w
the greatest distance from which sight, hearing, or physical reach works, or a weapon can reach its target
The deer stayed just out of range of the hunter's rifle.
out of range / within range
The rescue team shouted for help, but no one was within hearing range.
within hearing range
The cat sat on the fence, well within striking range of the bird feeder.
The soldiers waited until the enemy was within firing range, then opened fire.
within firing range
- within range
- out of range
- in range
- at close range
- beyond range
- hearing range
- firing range
Grammar Patterns
within range of [sth]
out of range
in range
at close range
Usage Note
Common in fixed phrases: 'within range', 'out of range', 'at close range', 'in range'. Also used for communication signals: 'radio range', 'Wi-Fi range'.
Common Mistakes
6. the length of future time during which an event or action is scheduled or likely
the length of future time during which an event or action is scheduled or likely to happen
The government promises to build the new hospital within a five-year range.
within a [number]-year range
Most of the changes at the factory will happen within the next ten-year range.
The scientists expect the first test results to arrive in the medium-term range.
short-term / medium-term / long-term range
The company expects to finish the office renovation within a six-month range.
- time range
- short-term range
- long-term range
- within a [time] range
- time frame
more common synonym; often interchangeable
- period
simpler; less specific about future planning
Grammar Patterns
within a [time] range
in the [adjective] range
Usage Note
Often preceded by time adjectives: short-term range, medium-term range, long-term range. Usually paired with 'within' or 'in'.
7. how far a car, plane, or other vehicle can travel on one full tank of fuel or ba
how far a car, plane, or other vehicle can travel on one full tank of fuel or battery charge
This electric car has a range of about four hundred kilometres on a single charge.
range of + distance + on a charge/tank
The pilot calculated the aircraft's range before taking off across the Pacific.
possessive + range of a vehicle
Cole chose a motorcycle with a longer fuel range for his trip across Mexico.
Dario checked the car's remaining range on the dashboard before driving into the desert.
New battery technology could double the range of electric vehicles within five years.
double the range of [vehicle type]
- long range
- short range
- fuel range
- driving range
- range of + distance
Usage Note
Often paired with a specific distance or 'fuel range'. Frequently seen with 'on a single charge/tank' for electric or fuel vehicles.
8. the full set of notes, from low to high pitches, that a performer or musical ins
the full set of notes, from low to high pitches, that a performer or musical instrument is capable of producing
The singer's vocal range covers three full octaves, from low to high.
vocal range + covers + number of octaves
This piano has a range of seven octaves, which is standard for most music.
Imani practised every day to expand her singing range before the concert.
expand one's range (through practice)
Élise's voice has an impressive range that lets her sing both opera and pop music.
The flute has a higher pitch range than the cello in an orchestra.
pitch range of an instrument
- vocal range
- singing range
- wide range
- range of + number of octaves
9. a place designed for practising with guns or for testing weapons and explosives
a place designed for practising with guns or for testing weapons and explosives
The soldiers trained at the shooting range every morning before breakfast.
at the shooting range / firing range
Rania went to the rifle range to practise for the weekend competition.
The army uses a remote testing range for new missile prototypes.
testing range for weapons
The national guard uses this range for yearly shooting practice with rifles.
Ravindra took his new pistol to the firing range to test its accuracy.
firing range
- shooting range
- firing range
- rifle range
- testing range
- bombing range
- at the range
- firing range
more specific to military or weapons practice
- shooting ground
less common; used for outdoor clay-pigeon shooting
Usage Note
Can refer to both military firing ranges and civilian shooting ranges used for sport. 'Driving range' is a separate sense for golf practice.
10. expansive grazing land where cows, sheep, or other livestock roam and eat grass
expansive grazing land where cows, sheep, or other livestock roam and eat grass
The cattle spent the summer grazing on the open range in Montana.
on the open range (grazing)
Minho's family owns a large range where their sheep can feed freely.
Drought forced the ranchers to move their herds to a different range.
move herds to a different range
Wild horses still roam the open range in parts of Nevada.
The ranch sits on a wide range where cattle can graze all year round.
wide range for cattle to graze
- open range
- grazing range
- on the range
- cattle range
Usage Note
Typically uncountable ('open range'). Common in American English for large western grazing areas. Not used for small enclosed fields.
11. a traditional cast-iron cooking stove fuelled by timber or coal, designed to sta
a traditional cast-iron cooking stove fuelled by timber or coal, designed to stay hot throughout the day
Grandma cooked soup on the old cast-iron range in the farmhouse kitchen.
old cast-iron range
The kitchen range burned wood all day to keep the house warm in winter.
Asher learned to bake bread on his grandmother's coal-fired range.
coal-fired range
The old range in the cabin still heats the whole room on cold winter nights.
Esteban's grandmother refused to replace her coal range with a modern stove.
coal range (traditional fuel source)
- cast-iron range
- kitchen range
- coal-fired range
- wood-burning range
Usage Note
This sense describes an older style of cooker, typically made of cast iron and fuelled by wood, coal, or sometimes gas. Not commonly used for modern electric or gas stoves in everyday speech.
12. a modern kitchen appliance that has an oven inside and burners or heating rings
a modern kitchen appliance that has an oven inside and burners or heating rings on top for cooking food
Theo installed a new gas range with six burners and a large oven.
gas range + [number] burners
Tunde wiped the kitchen range clean after cooking Sunday dinner.
Vinícius set the pot on the range and turned the heat to high.
set [something] on the range
Dario wiped the stainless steel range clean after the pasta sauce boiled over.
The new kitchen has a gas range with a convection oven for even baking.
gas range with a convection oven
- gas range
- electric range
- kitchen range
- stove and range
at/from close range
idiomFrom a very short distance away.
The photographer captured the lion at close range.
Did you see the goal scored from close range?
Close enough to be reached, seen, or heard.
The deer stayed just within range of my camera.
Is the restaurant within walking range of the hotel?
Too far away to be reached, seen, or heard.
The signal was lost when the plane flew out of range.
Keep the children out of range of the fire.
Word family
- rangernounB2
- rangingadjectiveB2
- rangefindernounC1
- wide-rangingadjectiveB2
- mid-rangeadjectiveB2
- long-rangeadjectiveB2
- short-rangeadjectiveB2
- range rovernounB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
Range, selection, and assortment all describe a set of different items. Range (noun/1: 'a variety') emphasises the breadth or extent of what is on offer — it is the most general word of the three. Selection focuses on the idea that the items have been carefully chosen for a purpose; a 'selection of wines' suggests someone curated the list. Assortment is less common and implies a casual or mixed collection, often of different types thrown together ('an assortment of old keys'). For the distance sense (noun/5), reach is broader (can be metaphorical, e.g. 'within reach of success') while scope is abstract breadth, not physical distance. For the mountain sense (noun/3), chain suggests a narrow, long series like the Andes, whereas ridge means the top edge of a range, not the whole formation. 概括而言，range 是最通用的字；selection 強調精選；assortment 則指混雜的組合。
Common collocations
Etymology
From Old French 'rangier' (to arrange in a line) and 'range' (row, rank), tracing back to Frankish '*hring' meaning a ring or circle. The original sense of arranging things in a line later developed into meanings about limits, distance, and free movement. 源自古法語 'rangier'（排列成行）和 'range'（排、等級），可追溯至法蘭克語 '*hring'（圓圈、環）。「排列成行」的原始概念後來衍生出關於範圍、距離和漫遊的含義。