adj
rampant
RAM-puhnt
adj
1
Spreading or occurring widely and without restraint, often in a negative or alarming way.
"Corruption was rampant throughout the local government."
"Rumours ran rampant across the office within minutes."
2
In heraldry, depicted standing upright on the hind legs with the forelegs raised, as of an animal on a coat of arms.
"The family crest showed a lion rampant in gold."
How to Use Rampant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSpreading unchecked and widely, especially something undesirable like a disease, rumour, or crime.
Common pairings
rampant inflation
rampant crime
run rampant
Word Forms
more rampant comparative, more rampant comparative, most rampant superlative, most rampant superlative
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Etymology
From Old French rampant, present participle of ramper, "to climb or creep" — originally used in heraldry to describe an animal reared up on its hind legs.