raffle

¹ American  

[raf-uhl] / ˈræf əl /

noun

1. rubbish.

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

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raffle ² 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 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

First recorded in 1790–1800; raff + -le

Origin of raffle¹

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

Example Sentences

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

One of Jennie's best friends sent her a link to an article about a woman in Ireland who raffled off her home and the idea stayed with her.

From BBC

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi said a raffle to win one of his guitars raised £50,000 for a hospital appeal.

From BBC

The event featured live music, and organizers raffled off 10 turkeys.

From Los Angeles Times

The authorities in the French capital launched a lottery on Monday, offering 30 monuments for sale in a raffle -- 10 at Pere-Lachaise, 10 at Montparnasse and 10 at Montmartre.

From Barron's

Related Words

• betting
• game of chance
• sweepstake