raff

[ raf ]

/ ræf /

Save This Word!

noun

riffraff; rabble.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of raff

1665–75; extracted from riffraff

Words nearby raff

Rae, Raeburn, RAEC, Raetic, RAF, raff, raffee, rafferty, Rafferty rules, raffia, raffia palm

Other definitions for raff (2 of 2)

Raff

[ rahf ]

/ rɑf /

noun

Joseph Joachim, 1822–82, Swiss composer.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use raff in a sentence

Raff delves into several competing models of how, when and where people first made inroads into the Americas.
‘Origin’ explores the controversial science of the first Americans|Bruce Bower|February 4, 2022|Science News
Raff wants to tell the most accurate, if still incomplete, story of how humans settled the Americas by integrating research on ancient and modern DNA with archaeological finds.
‘Origin’ explores the controversial science of the first Americans|Bruce Bower|February 4, 2022|Science News
Look, we are still the same nation of ambitious riff-raff that we always were.
How Can We Break Our Addiction to Contempt? (Ep. 478)|Stephen J. Dubner|October 14, 2021|Freakonomics
It’s common practice now for both new and established acts — including Amanda Palmer, De La Soul, Belly and Hurray for the Riff Raff — to use Kickstarter or GoFundMe to raise capital for records or tours.
The key to the longevity of the Drive-By Truckers|Stephen Deusner|September 26, 2021|Washington Post

He was known as MTV RiFF RaFF back then, thanks to an MTV logo tattoo on the side of his neck.
RiFF RaFF on Being James Franco’s Alleged ‘Spring Breakers’ Inspiration|Marlow Stern|March 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When that attachment is opened, the trojan is unleashed, giving the adversary control of the unlucky computer, Raff said.
15-Year-Old Egyptian Cyber Activist Takes on Israel|Eli Lake|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Raff says the IP address of the server initially connected to the RAT was in Gaza, but it has since changed.
15-Year-Old Egyptian Cyber Activist Takes on Israel|Eli Lake|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The latest RAT surfaced right before the Gaza conflict began, according to Raff and other Israeli officials.
15-Year-Old Egyptian Cyber Activist Takes on Israel|Eli Lake|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“The latest element of this campaign is about the recent conflict,” Raff said.
15-Year-Old Egyptian Cyber Activist Takes on Israel|Eli Lake|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
These are the poorer class of models—the riff-raff of the Quarter—who get anywhere from a few sous to a few francs for a séance.
The Real Latin Quarter|F. Berkeley Smith
Raff is going to resign, he says; if I can't get that, I'll get into a law office here.
Wayside Courtships|Hamlin Garland
The floating riff-raff had passed away, leaving a solid, intelligent population of sixteen hundred.
Ocean to Ocean on Horseback|Willard Glazier
But Raff seemed curiously put out and broke upon their chatter.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
I cannot say that either Raff or myself had arrived at any clearness when we headed away into the maze of Colootullah that night.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell

British Dictionary definitions for raff

raff

/ (ræf) /

noun archaic, or dialect

rubbish; refuse

rabble or riffraff

Word Origin for raff

C14: perhaps from Old French rafle a snatching up; compare raffle, riffraff

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012