ransom

CEFRB2

/ˈɹæn.səm/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Money demanded for releasing a captured person or property.

  2. 02

    verb

    To hold someone or something until money is paid.

Examples

  • The hijacker demanded a ransom of two million dollars.

  • Tom withdrew three hundred thousand dollars from the bank to pay the ransom.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.

  2. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.

  3. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

More examples

In context

  • They were held for two million dollars ransom.

  • They were held to ransom.

  • prisoners hopeless of ransom

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The ruthless kidnappers demanded a large blank for the safe return of the little child.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redēmptiō. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.