ratchet

¹ American  

[rach-it] / ˈrætʃ ɪt /

Also ratched

adjective

Slang.

1. flashy, unrefined, etc.; low-class.

   ratchet girls wearing too much makeup.

2. exhibiting or affirming low-class traits in a way that is considered authentic.

   Better to stay a ratchet bitch than become a bougie poser like her.

3. extremely good; awesome.

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ratchet ² American  

[rach-it] / ˈrætʃ ɪt /

noun

1. a toothed bar with which a pawl engages.

2. (not in technical use) a pawl or the like used with a ratchet or ratchet wheel.

3. a mechanism consisting of such a bar or wheel with the pawl.

4. ratchet wheel.

5. a steady progression up or down.

   the upward ratchet of oil prices.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. to move by degrees (often followed by up ordown ).

   to ratchet prices up;

   Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.

ratchet British  

/ ˈrætʃɪt /

noun

1. a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only

2. the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device

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verb

1. to operate using a ratchet

2. to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly

   electricity prices will ratchet up this year

   Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again

Usage

What else does ratchet mean? Ratchet is a slang term that can mean "exciting" or "excellent," often used as a term of empowerment among women. Some may also use ratchet for when they are feeling "bad" in some way.The term has been previously used, however, as an insult characterizing a woman as being "overdramatic" or "promiscuous."

Other Word Forms

• ratchetness noun

Etymology

Origin of ratchet¹

First recorded in 1990–95; from a dance and genre of hip-hop music originating in Shreveport, Louisiana

Origin of ratchet¹

First recorded in 1650–60; alteration of French rochet; Middle French rocquet “a blunt lance-head,” from Germanic; compare Old High German rocko, roccho “distaff”

Example Sentences

At the same time, consumers have an increasingly sour view of the economy, as prices stay high for common staples and elevated interest rates ratchet up pressure on household budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors worried the stock market is overvalued can protect themselves by staying away from names whose price-to-earnings ratios have ratcheted sharply upwards in the past few months.

From Barron's

For instance, the president in April ratcheted up tariffs on China to 145%.

From The Wall Street Journal

The big worry among Powell and other rate-cut supporters is that declining employment could slow the economy and finally spur companies to ratchet up layoffs, creating a vicious cycle that’s hard to reverse.

From MarketWatch

Inflation surged to 8.7% by the end of 1973, with prices rising double digits in the Great Inflation following the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ ratcheting up of oil prices.

From Barron's

Related Words

• disk
• drum
• roller