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
They have held auctions, organized raffles and invited influencers to participate in promotional clips.
From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2024
There will also be raffles with “one-of-a-kind” prizes, including the chance to throw out a first pitch on opening day.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2024
As California historian Kevin Starr wrote, Culver used gimmicks and giveaways and stunts like kids’ boxcar races, raffles, parades, and, memorably, a polo game played from the running boards of Model Ts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2023
He offered Seabiscuit mementoes for newspaper raffles and sent oversized Seabiscuit Christmas cards to scores of reporters.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
As always with these assignments, we had limited time but thankfully we were shooting at the wonderful Raffles in London and Luis, Catherine and Jenna were so wonderful.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025
Known to the children as “aunty” or “grandma,” Johnson would treat them to dips in the pool at the Raffles and doted on them at the center.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
A winner of the Thyestes Chase then Bobbyjo Chase, where Intense Raffles was runner-up, but that rival better off at the weights here.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2025
The best spots are already taken by a Pullman, a Raffles, and other luxury hotels.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 29, 2023
In the early nineteenth century Sir Stamford Raffles, founder of Singapore, while supervising the British occupation of Java sent two gamelan sets back to Britain, housed today in the British Museum.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
