raffles

¹ American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. a gentlemanly burglar, amateur housebreaker, or the like.

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Raffles ² American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford, 1781–1826, English colonial administrator in the East Indies.

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Raffles British  

/ ˈræfəlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford . 1781–1826, British colonial administrator: founded Singapore (1819) as a station for the British East India Company

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Etymology

Origin of raffles

1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist

Example Sentences

"I don't see this becoming a trend," he said, adding house raffles were not something he had thought about when first setting up his company.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

They have held auctions, organized raffles and invited influencers to participate in promotional clips.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024

There will also be raffles with “one-of-a-kind” prizes, including the chance to throw out a first pitch on opening day.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

In other attempted gimmicks, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez is entering donors into raffles for Major League Soccer games or free tuition payments.

From Slate • Jul. 24, 2023

She saw to it that she had a good pair of shoes for street wear, that she always had clothing, even during the times when the raffles were working only through some miracle.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez