rags
Britishplural noun
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torn, old, or shabby clothing
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cotton or linen cloth waste used in the manufacture of rag paper
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informal
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from poverty to great wealth
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( as modifier )
a rags-to-riches tale
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informal best clothes; finery
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Weaving together her memory of a childhood jacket her mother made from rags with the biblical tale of Joseph, “Coat” was a statement of identity and purpose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
It and other rags insinuate the problem, As Ever, is the royal formerly known as Meghan Markle.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
But, ever resourceful, she turned those limited resources into an advantage - creating her iconic fishnet gloves from rags and cast-offs.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
If your social-worker friend envies your designer clothes, you don’t have to ditch your Prada for rags, but it’s probably better not to festoon your outfit with your biggest diamond.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
“My pa talked to Mr. Soldano. Mrs. Soldano was burning a bunch of rags in kerosene to clear out the mosquitoes.”
From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm
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