How to Define a Rant

United Kingdom
March 14, 2021 1:11am CST
I posted 'Pumpkin's Rant of the Day' yesterday. One comment, from @JimBo452020 was that it wasn't really a rant. It got me wondering how a person might define a rant. Would it have to be an entirely negative tirade of tantrums? Could it be an angry observation? Is it what is said, how it's said, the feelings behind or reasons for saying it? My recent rants (of which there are very few) tend to be complaints about people who are rude or ignorant. I don't rant at the person but will simply vent to my husband. I prefer to do that than to let things build up. It's rarely anything serious. On the other hand, I've known supposed adults have absolute temper tantrums. Sometimes about a tiny thing, often hypocritical, ignorant, and possibly even nonsensical. Are these what you would call rants or is that beyond a rant? To me, I've used 'rant' to mean getting things off your chest, taking a few minutes to just be annoyed at things. The dictionary definition is 'to speak or shout at length in an angry or impassioned way' - which is how I would define it, but would also include writing in a similar way. I am curious, then, as to of you have another definition. I also wonder if someone you know has a true rant without seeming to know that's why they're doing, or if you know of a ranter who doesn't really rant.
5 people like this
6 responses
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
14 Mar 21
I figure that any venting can be a rant.
3 people like this
• United Kingdom
15 Mar 21
That's how I had meant it. I suppose there are various levels of rant which some people might call something else.
2 people like this
@choijungeun (2710)
• Hangzhou, China
14 Mar 21
I think the"rant"is similar to the"rage",they are both out of control and just suddenly get angry.they're a kinda vent of the emotion.
2 people like this
• United Kingdom
14 Mar 21
Ah, so you consider a rant to be like a rage and something out of control. I'd agree that's what a rage is. Perhaps that's why my rant wasn't really a rant as it was, I think, a coherent relaying of information about which I was annoyed.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (148701)
• Roseburg, Oregon
4 Apr 21
Anytime you vent out how you feel it is a rant.
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@Metsrock69 (3617)
• United States
15 Mar 21
It sounds like something I would say about someone who is mad. they rant and rave
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@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
16 Mar 21
I agree with your definition of rant. Yes, a good rant can help me feel a little better sometimes. I also think you explained the difference between a tantrum and a rant quite well.
1 person likes this
• United Kingdom
16 Apr 21
I think a rant is when you get something off your chest, it doesn't always have to be anger. I think a lot of ranting is also frustration.
1 person likes this