181 Nouns That Start with R [with Definitions and Examples]

In this article, we are going to analyze several categories of nouns that start with R. Nouns starting with R have a peculiar set of properties that need to be investigated. Before we do that, let’s discuss what nouns are and why they are so important. A noun refers to individuals, things, ideas, and different items around us. Come to think of it, perhaps you could say that the difference between human language and the non-human ones – represented by the noises apes and monkeys make, is that we humans have nouns, and other animals don’t. In other words, noun is a word that names something. They are the first and focal building squares of language.

The letter R is the eighth most common letter in English and the fourth-most common consonant after N, S and T. Hence, one can expect that the list of nouns that start with R will be a very large one.

There are a number of nouns beginning with R that people use the most in their everyday lives and there are some that they rarely use. Apart from that there are many nouns that start with R to describe a person, place, animate and inanimate objects, etc. Without any further ado, let’s go through the categories of nouns that start with R, one by one.

Table of Contents

Nouns That Start with R You Always Use

Nouns are everywhere in our writing. They form a large proportion of English vocabulary and they come in a wide variety of types. Nouns that start with R that one uses regularly are listed below.

1. Room

Definition: a part or division of a building enclosed by walls, floor, and ceiling
Synonyms: chamber, apartment, cabin
Example: I could hear people talking in the next room.

2. Rest

Definition: an instance or period of resting
Synonyms: relaxation, leisure, repose
Example: You look as though you need a rest.

3. Recipe

Definition: a set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required
Synonyms: instructions, pattern, process
Example: For real South Asian food, just follow these recipes.

4. Rod

Definition: thin straight bar, especially of wood or metal
Synonyms: baton, cane, billet
Example: The concrete is strengthened with steel rods.

5. Robe

Definition: a long, loose outer garment reaching to the ankles
Synonyms: costume, dress, gown
Example: Judges wear black robes when they are in court.

6. Rice

Definition: the small seeds of a particular type of grass, cooked, and eaten as food
Synonyms: cereal, corn, grain
Example: The prisoners existed on a meagre diet of rice and fish.

7. Rain

Definition: the condensed moisture of the atmosphere falling visibly in separate drops
Synonyms: drizzle, shower, precipitation

Example: We had light rain all day.

8. Rug

Definition: a floor covering of thick woven material or animal skin
Synonyms: mat, carpet
Example: My dog loves lying on the rug in front of the fire.

9. Rope

Definition: a piece of strong, thick string made of long twisted threads
Synonyms: cord, line, cable, string
Example: A sailor threw a rope ashore and we tied the boat to a post.

10. Road

Definition: a long, hard surface built for vehicles to travel along
Synonyms: pavement, track, highway
Example: There’s a coffee shop on the other side of the road.

Nouns That Start with R You Usually Use

Nouns can name things, although sometimes they might be intangible things, such as concepts, activities, or processes. Some might even be hypothetical or imaginary things. Following is a list of nouns starting with R that we usually use in our daily life routine.

1. Rabbit

Definition: a small, long-eared mammal with soft fur that bounces and burrows
Synonyms: bunny, hare, cottontail
Example: The rabbit hopped across the grass.

2. Reason

Definition: the cause for something to happen
Synonyms: intent, motive, impetus

Example: The reason for the disaster was engine failure, not human error.

3. Research

Definition: a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover new information or to reach a new understanding
Synonyms: analysis, experiment, investigation
Example: It took months of painstaking research to write the book.

4. Religion

Definition: the belief in and worship of a god or gods
Synonyms: belief, faith, creed
Example: It seems to me that a lot of evil deeds are done in the name of religion.

5. Relationship

Definition: a connection between two people or things
Synonyms: affiliation, affinity, kinship
Example: Lack of trust is very destructive in a relationship.

6. Rage

Definition: a period of extreme or violent anger
Synonyms: fury, frenzy, anger
Example: He flew into a fit of rage over the smallest mistake.

7. Request

Definition: an act of asking politely or formally for something
Synonyms: petition, appeal, inquiry

Example: They received hundreds of requests for more information.

8. Realist

Definition: a person who accepts a situation as it is and is prepared to deal with it accordingly
Synonyms: pragmatist, rationalist
Example: I am a realist, with no time for your world of make believe.

9. Route

Definition: a way or course taken in getting from a starting point to a destination
Synonyms: way, course, road
Example: The route we had planned took us right across Greece.

10. Race

Definition: an attempt to be the first to do or to get something
Synonyms: chase, competition, run
Example: Many countries are in race to find the best cure for Covid-19.

Nouns That Start with R You Often Use

In a sentence, nouns can play the role of a subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, object complement, appositive, or an adjective. Following are some of the nouns starting with R that we often use.

1. Reader

Definition: a person who reads or who is fond of reading
Synonyms: bibliophile, bookworm
Example: She’s an avid reader.

2. Reaction

Definition: something done, felt, or thought in response to a situation

Synonyms: opinion, reflex, reply
Example: My immediate reaction was one of relief.

3. Response

Definition: an answer to something
Synonyms: answer, reply, reaction
Example: Her proposals met with an enthusiastic response.

4. Rent

Definition: a fixed amount of money that you pay regularly for the use of a room, house, car, television, etc. that someone else owns
Synonyms: fee, cost, price
Example: My rent is $800 a month inclusive of bills.

5. Reality

Definition: the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be
Synonyms: actuality, existence, tangibility
Example: He refuses to face reality.

6. Region

Definition: a particular area or part of the world, or any of the large official areas into which a country is divided
Synonyms: country, province, realm
Example: The war is threatening to engulf the entire region.

7. Report

Definition: a description of an event or situation

Synonyms: statement, summary, write-up
Example: She sent in weekly reports on the situation.

8. Resource

Definition: a useful or valuable possession or quality of a country, organization, or person
Synonyms: asset, reserve, wherewithal
Example: The country’s greatest resource is the dedication of its workers.

9. Restaurant

Definition: a place where meals are prepared and served to customers
Synonyms: bistro, cafe, eatery
Example: They have really good food at that restaurant and it’s not very expensive either.

10. Result

Definition: a thing that is caused or produced by something else
Synonyms: outcome, consequence, conclusion
Example: His broken leg is the direct result of his own carelessness.

Nouns That Start with R You Sometimes Use

Every sentence must have a subject, and that subject will always be a noun. The subject of a sentence is the person, place, or thing that is doing or being the verb in that sentence. The following is a list of nouns beginning with N that are less frequently used in our everyday lives.

1. Recommendation

Definition: a suggestion that something is good or suitable for a particular purpose or job
Synonyms: advice, counsel, guidance
Example: I bought this computer on John’s recommendation.

2. Realization

Definition: the fact or moment of starting to understand a situation

Synonyms: awareness, understanding, comprehension
Example: The realization was dawning that this was a major disaster.

3. Recollection

Definition: a memory of someone or something
Synonyms: memory, remembrance
Example: I have many pleasant recollections of the time we spent together.

4. Recruitment

Definition: the process of finding people to work for a company
Synonyms: employment, admission
Example: Increased recruitment of women engineers will help correct the gender imbalance in the profession.

5. Rationality

Definition: the quality of making decisions based on clear thought and reason
Synonyms: tenability, intellect, moderateness,
Example: We have to bring some rationality to the issue.

6. Ransom

Definition: a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive
Synonyms: payment, price, pay-off
Example: The kidnappers demanded a ransom.

7. Rumor

Definition: a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth

Synonyms: gossip, hearsay, tittle-tattle
Example: I heard a rumor that she’d been seeing Michael.

8. Riddle

Definition: a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed
Synonyms: conundrum, enigma
Example: Scientists may have solved the riddle of Saturn’s rings.

9. Reform

Definition: an improvement, especially in a person’s behavior or in the structure of something
Synonyms: improvement, betterment, amelioration
Example: The education system was crying out for reform.

10. Resemblance

Definition: the fact that two people or things look like each other or are similar in some other way
Synonyms: likeness, similarity, similitude
Example: The resemblance between Susan and her sister was remarkable.

Nouns That Start with R You Occasionally Use

Nouns are at the heart of sentences and clauses; they are indispensable to the formation of a complete thought. Following is a list of noun words that start with R and are used occasionally in our writings and conversations.

1. Ramification

Definition: a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event
Synonyms: consequence, result, outcome
Example: Have you considered all the ramifications of your suggestion?

2. Rancor

Definition: bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long standing
Synonyms: spite, hate, malice
Example: He spoke without rancor.

3. Rebuttal

Definition: an instance of rebutting evidence or an accusation
Synonyms: denial, refutation
Example: The accusations met with a firm rebuttal.

4. Ratification

Definition: the action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid
Synonyms: confirmation, substantiation, corroboration
Example: Ratification of the treaty raised problems in several member states.

5. Reconnaissance

Definition: military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features
Synonyms: observation, exploration, investigation
Example: Aerial reconnaissance of the enemy position showed they were ready to attack.

6. Recourse

Definition: a source of help in a difficult situation
Synonyms: option, possibility, resort
Example: Surgery may be the only recourse in this condition.

7. Recreant

Definition: one who is unfaithful to duty or allegiance; a coward
Synonyms: weakling, chicken, sissy
Example: He was dishonorably discharged from the armed forces for being a recreant.

8. Regimen

Definition: a prescribed course of medical treatment, diet, or exercise for the restoration of health
Synonyms: care, rehabilitation, treatment, rehab
Example: After his heart attack the doctor put him on a strict regimen.

9. Relic

Definition: an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical interest
Synonyms: artefact, heirloom, antique
Example: Farmers occasionally plough up old Indian relics.

10. Renegade

Definition: a person who deserts and betrays an organization, country, or set of principles
Synonyms: traitor, defector, deserter
Example: A band of renegades had captured the prince and were holding him to ransom.

Nouns That Start with R You Seldom Use

Nouns are very important for language development. They also enhance people’s overall expressive language. Below is a list of nouns that start with the letter R that are seldom used.

1. Raillery

Definition: good-humored teasing
Synonyms: chaff, banter, ragging
Example: She was greeted with raillery from her fellow workers.

2. Rapprochement

Definition: an agreement reached by opposing groups or people
Synonyms: agreement, reconciliation
Example: There are signs of rapprochement between the warring factions.

3. Rectitude

Definition: morally correct behavior or thinking
Synonyms: righteousness, goodness, virtue
Example: Mattie is a model of rectitude.

4. Rejoinder

Definition: a reply, especially a sharp or witty one
Synonyms: answer, reply, riposte
Example: She would have made some cutting rejoinder but none came to mind.

5. Repast

Definition: something taken as food; a meal
Synonyms: feast, meal, banquet
Example: That simple repast was fit for a king.

6. Repeal

Definition: the action of revoking or annulling a law or act of parliament
Synonyms: revocation, rescinding, cancellation
Example: The House voted in favor of repeal.

7. Repugnance

Definition: a feeling of disgust caused by behavior or beliefs which are very unpleasant
Synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repulsion
Example: She felt a deep sense of shame and repugnance.

8. Remnant

Definition: a part or quantity that is left after the greater part has been used, removed, or destroyed
Synonyms: remains, leftover, residue
Example: Where are the remnants of last night’s meal?

9. Reverie

Definition: a state of having pleasant dream-like thoughts
Synonyms: daydream, fantasy
Example: She was roused from her reverie by the talk of the maids in the next room.

10. Reminiscence

Definition: the act of remembering events and experiences from the past
Synonyms: memory, reflection, recollection
Example: The novel contains endless reminiscences of the author’s youth.

Nouns That Start with R You Rarely Use

There are some R-nouns that are rarely seen or heard in both writing and communication. When a reader gets to know about them he is astounded that such nouns even exist. Below are some of those nouns.

1. Raconteur

Definition: a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way
Synonyms: storyteller, narrator, relater
Example: He was a brilliant raconteur.

2. Recalcitrant

Definition: a person with an obstinately uncooperative attitude
Synonyms: rebel, nonconformist
Example: He is a stiff-necked recalcitrant and troublemaker.

3. Recidivism

Definition: the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend
Synonyms: reversion, relapse, backsliding
Example: The prison has succeeded in reducing recidivism.

4. Regatta

Definition: a sporting event consisting of a series of boat or yacht races
Synonyms: rowing, championship, race
Example: We’ll take part in a regatta next month.

5. Restitution

Definition: the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner
Synonyms: replacement, restoration, yielding
Example: The ANC had demanded the restitution of land seized from black people.

6. Repartee

Definition: conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies
Synonyms: banter, badinage, bantering
Example: Oscar Wilde’s plays are full of witty repartee.

7. Reprobate

Definition: an unprincipled person
Synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel
Example: He has always been a bit of a reprobate.

8. Revelry

Definition: lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol
Synonyms: jollification, merrymaking, carousing
Example: The sound of revelry filled the house yesterday.

9. Revulsion

Definition: a sense of disgust and loathing
Synonyms: repulsion, abhorrence, disgust
Example: News of the attack will be met with sorrow and revulsion.

10. Rodomontade

Definition: boastful or inflated talk or behavior
Synonyms: bluster, pretension, grandiloquence, exaggeration
Example: She amused him with some rodomontade about despising rank and wealth.

Positive Nouns That Start with R

There are some positive nouns that both carry and spread positivity and also describe your skills, results, and accomplishments. These are some of the positive nouns that start with R that one should have at one’s disposal.

1. Relaxation

Definition: the state of being free from tension and anxiety
Synonyms: composure, calmness, tranquility
Example: I go fishing for relaxation.

2. Rainbow

Definition: an arch of different colors seen in the sky when rain is falling and the sun is shining
Synonyms: arc, bow, prism
Example: The sun came out and we saw a rainbow.

3. Respect

Definition: admiration felt or shown for someone or something that you believe has good ideas or qualities
Synonyms: esteem, regard, admiration
Example: You should show more respect to your parents.

4. Reunion

Definition: a social event for a group of people who have not seen each other for a long time
Synonyms: jointure, reunification, homecoming
Example: The College has an annual reunion for former students.

5. Right

Definition: that which is morally correct, just, or honorable
Synonyms: goodness, righteousness, integrity
Example: She doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong.

6. Responsibility

Definition: the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone
Synonyms: management, leadership, control
Example: A true leader takes responsibility for their team and helps them achieve goals.

7. Relief

Definition: a feeling of reassurance and relaxation following release from anxiety or distress
Synonyms: consolation, solace, reassurance
Example: Much to her relief, she saw the door open.

8. Reconciliation

Definition: the restoration of friendly relations
Synonyms: reunion, appeasement
Example: It took hours of negotiations to bring about a reconciliation between the two sides.

9. Romanticism

Definition: the state or quality of being romantic
Synonyms: affectation, sentimentalism
Example: Her determined romanticism was cheering him up.

10. Reward

Definition: a thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement
Synonyms: recompense, prize, award
Example: The holiday was a reward for 40 years’ service with the company.

Nouns That Start with R – Full List (181 words)

Rabbi
Rabbit
Rabble
Race
Racetrack
Rack
Racket
Racketeer
Raconteur
Radar
Radiance
Radiant
Radiation
Radiator
Radical
Radicalism
Radii
Radio
Radioactivity
Radiocarbon
Radiochlorine
Radioclast
Radiography
Radiomen
Radiopasteurization
Radiosterilization
Radish
Raft
Rag
Rage
Raid
Rail
Railhead
Raillery
Railroad
Railroader
Railway
Rain
Rainbow
Rainfall
Rain-maker
Rainstorm
Raise
Raiser
Raisin
Rajah
Rake
Rally
Ram
Ramification
Ramp
Rampage
Rampart
Ranch
Rancher
Rancho
Rancidity
Rancor
Random
Randomization
Range
Rank
Ransom
Rap
Rape
Rapidity
Rapier
Rapport
Rapprochement
Rapture
Rarity
Rascal
Rasp
Rat
Rate
Ratification
Ratio
Ration
Rationale
Rationalism
Rationalist
Rationality
Rationalization
Rator
Rattail
Rattle
Rattler
Rattlesnake
Rawhide
Ray
Razor
Razorback
Reaction
Reader
Realist
Reality
Realization
Reason
Rebuttal
Recalcitrant
Receiver
Reception
Recidivism
Recipe
Reciprocal
Recollection
Recommendation
Reconciliation
Reconnaissance
Recourse
Recreant
Recruitment
Rectitude
Recuperation
Reform
Regatta
Regimen
Region
Regulator
Rejoinder
Rejuvenation
Relationship
Relaxation
Release
Relic
Relief
Reliever
Religion
Reminiscence
Remnant
Renegade
Renovation
Rent
Repartee
Repast
Repeal
Report
Reprobate
Repugnance
Reputation
Request
Research
Resemblance
Resource
Respect
Response
Responsibility
Rest
Restaurant
Restitution
Restoration
Result
Reunion
Revelry
Reverence
Reverie
Revulsion
Reward
Rhapsody
Rice
Riddle
Right
Rise
Road
Robe
Rod
Rodomontade
Roll
Romantic
Romanticism
Romeo
Room
Rooter
Rope
Rose
Route
Rug
Ruler
Rumor
Run
Runner

Final Thoughts on Nouns That Start with R

Thank you for going through this article. Hopefully, you would have learned something new about the use of nouns in your daily lives, especially nouns that start with R. Just imagine for a second, what if there were no nouns – both abstract and non-abstract, how could we communicate with each other? We use nouns: to study, to put songs together, to make a living, to conduct business, and to stay disciplined. Our whole lives would have got stuck if there were no nouns because without them we wouldn’t have been able to communicate.

There is a never-ending list of nouns starting with R and new nouns are being added to it every now and then. Some of the most prominent used nouns and the ones that are rarely used have been shared with you in this article. What you can do now is that you can add new nouns to all of the above given lists of nouns beginning with R, which will surely help you build a large reservoir of nouns.