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; raff

Origin of raffle²

First recorded in 1790–1800; raff + -le

Example Sentences

“Nobody’s going to buy your band’s candy or raffle tickets or whatever it is you’re trying to sell there,” she said.

From Literature

"Citizen loans, appeals for donations, corporate sponsorship, or any other 'raffle' scheme -- this is now what part of the funding for our public hospitals boils down to."

From Barron's

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

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

Related Words

• betting
• game of chance
• sweepstake