raffles
noun
a gentlemanly burglar, amateur housebreaker, or the like.
Showing results for "raffles"
- present tense form of raffle (3rd person singular).
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raffles
1 American
[raf-uhlz]
/ ˈræf əlz /
noun
(often initial capital letter)
Raffles
2
American
[raf-uhlz]
/ ˈræf əlz /
noun
Raffles
British
/ ˈræfəlz /
noun
Etymology
Origin of raffles
1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist
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.
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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
They have held auctions, organized raffles and invited influencers to participate in promotional clips.
From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2024
In other attempted gimmicks, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is entering donors into raffles for Major League Soccer games or free tuition payments.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2023
She saw to it that she had a good pair of shoes for street wear, that she always had clothing, even during the times when the raffles were working only through some miracle.
From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
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
Third under top weight to Intense Raffles in last year's Irish Grand National before winning Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
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
His friend Raden Rana Dipura, a Javanese ‘chief’ and accomplished musician, travelled with Raffles to England in 1816 and performed in London on a number of occasions.
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.
