Rate vs. Speed: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Rate refers to a measure of any quantity per unit of time, while Speed specifically denotes the distance traveled per unit of time.
Key Differences
Rate is a broader term that can apply to any measurable quantity over time, such as heart rate or flow rate. Speed, however, is specifically related to how fast an object moves over a distance.
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The units of rate can vary widely, including things like dollars per hour or items per minute. Speed is typically measured in units like miles per hour or meters per second.
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Rate is used in various contexts, from finance (interest rates) to work (rate of production). Speed is primarily associated with movement, as in the speed of a car or an athlete.
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Rate is generally a ratio of two different units, indicating how one quantity changes in relation to another over time. Speed is a scalar quantity representing the rate of change of position.
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Rate can change meaning based on context, such as rate of consumption or growth rate. Speed is consistently used to denote the pace at which an object covers distance.
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Comparison Chart
Word Origin
Comes from Latin "rata" (fixed portion).
Derived from Old English "spēd" (success, quickness).
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Rate and Speed Definitions
Rate
A measure of frequency or occurrence.
The crime rate in the city has decreased.
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Speed
The rate at which someone or something moves.
The speed of the car was 60 mph.
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Nov 18, 2023
Rate
A quantity measured with respect to another measured quantity
A rate of speed of 60 miles an hour.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
Rapidity of movement or action.
He was amazed by the speed of the response.
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Rate
A measure of a part with respect to a whole; a proportion
The mortality rate.
A tax rate.
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Speed
The sensitivity of a photographic film.
A higher speed film is better for low light.
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Rate
A charge or payment calculated in relation to a particular sum or quantity
Interest rates.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
The limit of this quotient as the time of travel becomes vanishingly small; the first derivative of distance with respect to time.
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Rate
To place in a particular class, rank, or grade
Rated the film PG13.
Rated the bonds at junk level.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
To specify the performance limits of, especially according to a standard scale
This fuse is rated at 50 amperes. The fishing line is rated for 30 pounds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
The state of being in rapid motion; rapidity
The river's speed made a rescue difficult.
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Rate
To regard or consider as having a certain value
Rated the movie excellent.
Rated him a fine cook.
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Speed
A transmission gear or set of gears in a motor vehicle
What speed is the car in now?.
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Speed
A numerical expression of the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper to light.
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Speed
The capacity of a lens to accumulate light at an appropriate aperture.
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Rate
(Informal) To merit or deserve
People that rate special treatment.
An idea that rates attention.
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Speed
The length of time required or permitted for a camera shutter to open and admit light.
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Rate
To be ranked in a particular class
A wine that rates higher than any other.
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Rate
(Informal) To have status, importance, or influence
Tea-flavored ice cream doesn't rate highly in my book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
(Slang) One that suits or appeals to a person's inclinations, skills, or character
Living in a large city is not my speed.
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Speed
To drive at a speed exceeding a legal limit
Was speeding on the freeway.
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Rate
The proportional relationship between one amount, value etc. and another.
At the height of his powers, he was producing pictures at the rate of four a year.
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Speed
To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate
His pulse speeded up.
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Rate
The relative speed of change or progress.
The rate of production at the factory is skyrocketing.
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Rate
The price of (an individual) thing; cost.
He asked quite a rate to take me to the airport.
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Rate
A set price or charge for all examples of a given case, commodity, service etc.
Postal rates here are low.
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Rate
A wage calculated in relation to a unit of time.
We pay an hourly rate of between $10 – $15 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.
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Speed
To cause to move or proceed quickly; hasten
No wind to speed the boat.
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Rate
Any of various taxes, especially those levied by a local authority.
I hardly have enough left every month to pay the rates.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To increase the speed or rate of; accelerate. Often used with up
Speed up a car.
Sped up production.
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Rate
(nautical) A class into which ships were assigned based on condition, size etc.; by extension, rank.
This textbook is first-rate.
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Speed
The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.
How does Usain Bolt run at that speed?
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Speed
The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.
Speed limits provide information to the drivers about the safe speed to travel in average conditions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
(horology) The gain or loss of a timepiece in a unit of time.
Daily rate; hourly rate; etc.
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Rate
(transitive) To assign or be assigned a particular rank or level.
She is rated fourth in the country.
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Speed
(photography) The duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).
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Rate
(transitive) To evaluate or estimate the value of.
They rate his talents highly.
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Speed
(photography) The largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.
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Speed
(photography) The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.
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Rate
(transitive) To deserve; to be worth.
The view here hardly rates a mention in the travel guide.
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Speed
Amphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.
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Rate
(transitive) To determine the limits of safe functioning for a machine or electrical device.
The transformer is rated at 10 watts.
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Speed
(slang) Personal preference.
We could go to the shore next week, or somewhere else if that's not your speed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
A third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.
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Rate
(intransitive) To have position (in a certain class).
She rates among the most excellent chefs in the world.
He rates as the best cyclist in the country.
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Speed
(film) Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.
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Rate
(intransitive) To have value or standing.
This last performance of hers didn't rate very high with the judges.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.
God speed, until we meet again.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
To ascertain the exact rate of the gain or loss of (a chronometer) as compared with true time.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
(intransitive) To exceed the speed limit.
Why do you speed when the road is so icy?
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
To chide with vehemence; to scold; to censure violently; to berate.
Go, rate thy minions, proud, insulting boy!
Conscience is a check to beginners in sin, reclaiming them from it, and rating them for it.
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Rate
To set a certain estimate on; to value at a certain price or degree.
To rate a man by the nature of his companions is a rule frequent indeed, but not infallible.
You seem not high enough your joys to rate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
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Rate
To settle the relative scale, rank, position, amount, value, or quality of; as, to rate a ship; to rate a seaman; to rate a pension.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
(archaic) To wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
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Rate
To be set or considered in a class; to have rank; as, the ship rates as a ship of the line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
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Rate
Established portion or measure; fixed allowance.
The one right feeble through the evil rateOf food which in her duress she had found.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success.
O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day.
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Rate
That which is established as a measure or criterion; degree; standard; rank; proportion; ratio; as, a slow rate of movement; rate of interest is the ratio of the interest to the principal, per annum.
Heretofore the rate and standard of wit was different from what it is nowadays.
In this did his holiness and godliness appear above the rate and pitch of other men's, in that he was so . . . merciful.
Many of the horse could not march at that rate, nor come up soon enough.
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Speed
The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel.
Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails.
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Rate
Valuation; price fixed with relation to a standard; cost; charge; as, high or low rates of transportation.
They come at dear rates from Japan.
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Rate
A tax or sum assessed by authority on property for public use, according to its income or value; esp., in England, a local tax; as, parish rates; town rates.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare.
Ships heretofore in seas like fishes sped; The mightiest still upon the smallest fed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To fare well; to have success; to prosper.
Save London, and send true lawyers their meed!For whoso wants money with them shall not speed!
I told ye then he should prevail, and speedOn his bad errand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
The gain or loss of a timepiece in a unit of time; as, daily rate; hourly rate; etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To make haste; to move with celerity.
I have speeded hither with the very extremest inch of possibility.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
The order or class to which a war vessel belongs, determined according to its size, armament, etc.; as, first rate, second rate, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
Amount of a charge or payment relative to some basis;
A 10-minute phone call at that rate would cost $5
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor.
With rising gales that speed their happy flight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
A magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit;
They traveled at a rate of 55 miles per hour
The rate of change was faster than expected
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.
He sped him thence home to his habitation.
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Rate
The relative speed of progress or change;
He lived at a fast pace
He works at a great rate
The pace of events accelerated
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Speed
To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.
Judicial acts . . . are sped in open court at the instance of one or both of the parties.
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Rate
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
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Speed
To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo.
A dire dilemma! either way I 'm sped.If foes, they write, if friends, they read, me dead.
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
Estimate the value of;
How would you rate his chances to become President?
Gold was rated highly among the Romans
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Rate
A measure of a quantity per unit time.
The rate of water flow was 5 gallons per minute.
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Nov 18, 2023
Speed
A rate (usually rapid) at which something happens;
The project advanced with gratifying speed
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Oct 19, 2023
Rate
The price or cost of something per unit.
The hourly rate for the consultant is $150.
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Nov 18, 2023
Rate
A level or standard of quality.
This hotel rates as one of the best in the area.
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Speed
The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a (camera) lens system
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
Travel at an excessive or illegal velocity;
I got a ticket for speeding
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Oct 19, 2023
Speed
A gear in a vehicle or bicycle.
She shifted to a higher speed on the highway.
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Nov 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is Speed always related to movement?
Yes, speed is specifically about how fast something moves.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can Rate apply to things other than speed?
Yes, rate can apply to a variety of measurements.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can Rate change in different contexts?
Yes, its meaning varies with context.
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Nov 18, 2023
Does Speed always involve physical movement?
Yes, it's about physical displacement.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is terminal Speed?
The maximum speed an object can reach when falling through a fluid like air.
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Nov 18, 2023
Does Speed have different meanings in different fields?
Primarily, it's about movement but varies in context like in photography.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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