raffles

¹ American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. a gentlemanly burglar, amateur housebreaker, or the like.

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Raffles ² American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford, 1781–1826, English colonial administrator in the East Indies.

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Raffles British  

/ ˈræfəlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford . 1781–1826, British colonial administrator: founded Singapore (1819) as a station for the British East India Company

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Etymology

Origin of raffles

1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist

Example Sentences

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

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

Until the end of the wars Petra Cotes continued to support herself with the returns from her raffles and Aureliano Segundo was able to sack Úrsula's savings from time to time.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez