1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These might include old-school offerings like block parties, back-to-school events, give-aways and raffles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
From raffles to ultramarathons and charity nights, family and friends have fundraised meaning Dan and Anna could set off for a trial abroad in October.
From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025
Lohman-Janz created enamel pins and hosts raffles to encourage members to keep coming out.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
They have held auctions, organized raffles and invited influencers to participate in promotional clips.
From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024
She had arrived in Macondo in the middle of the war with a chance husband who lived off raffles, and when the man died she kept up the business.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
