raffle

¹ American  

[raf-uhl] / ˈræf əl /

noun

1. a form of lottery in which a number of persons buy one or more chances to win a prize.

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verb (used with object)

raffled, raffling

1. to dispose of by a raffle (often followed byoff ).

   to raffle off a watch.

verb (used without object)

raffled, raffling

1. to take part in a raffle.

raffle ² American  

[raf-uhl] / ˈræf əl /

noun

1. rubbish.

2. Nautical. a tangle, as of ropes, canvas, etc.

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raffle British  

/ ˈræfəl /

noun

1. 1. a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money

   2. ( as modifier )

      a raffle ticket

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verb

1. to dispose of (goods) in a raffle

Other Word Forms

• raffler
  noun
• unraffled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of raffle¹

1350–1400; Middle English rafle dice game < Middle French, derivative of rafler to snatch; cf. raff

Origin of raffle²

First recorded in 1790–1800; raff + -le

Explanation

A raffle is a type of contest in which you buy a ticket for a chance to win a prize. After the tickets are sold, a drawing determines which ticket holds the winning number. People raffle off everything from fruit baskets to cars. You might enter a raffle at a school gathering, a fair, or another event. The proceeds from selling raffle tickets often go toward a good cause, like a charity. When a group holds a raffle, you can also say that they raffle the prizes off — your French club might raffle off a bicycle to raise money for your trip to Montreal, for example. A raffle was originally "a dice game."

Example Sentences

Buffett has lavished praise on the executive for his preternatural ability to craft offbeat policies, including insuring Chicago’s tallest building against terrorist attacks and Pepsi against having to award a $1 billion raffle prize.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

When the two-hour movie ended, one attendee won the big raffle prize, which included “Waiting to Exhale” on DVD — and a DVD player to play it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2026

The firm’s insurance chief of 39 years, Ajit Jain, once crafted a policy insuring Pepsi against having to award a $1 billion raffle prize.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

Jennie and John had to take the property off the market when they set up the raffle using an online platform.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

No raffle ticket, no Bingo, no policy slip, no clearing-house number, no magazine sweepstakes, no, nor any unpierced carnival balloon succumbed to her magic.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• betting
• game of chance
• sweepstake