raffle

[ raf-uhl ]

/ ˈræf əl /

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See synonyms for raffle on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

verb (used with object), raf·fled, raf·fling.

to dispose of by a raffle (often followed by off): to raffle off a watch.

verb (used without object), raf·fled, raf·fling.

to take part in a raffle.

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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.

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Origin of raffle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM raffle

raffler, nounun·raf·fled, adjective

Other definitions for raffle (2 of 2)

raffle²

[ raf-uhl ]

/ ˈræf əl /

noun

rubbish.

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

Origin of raffle

First recorded in 1790–1800; raff + -le

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

How to use raffle in a sentence

But raffling off gifts in exchange for website signups is, somehow, perfectly legal.
‘Blow Your Balls Off’ Senate Candidate Wants to Give Away a Free Car|Olivia Nuzzi|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Greg Brophy, a candidate for governor in Colorado is raffling off guns in exchange for website signups.
‘Blow Your Balls Off’ Senate Candidate Wants to Give Away a Free Car|Olivia Nuzzi|April 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I've often taken as much as a pound's worth of tickets for a five-pound note that some priest was raffling in aid of a new chapel.
Hyacinth|George A. Birmingham
Fairs for the founding of hospitals, schools and churches, conducted on the raffling system, come under the same denomination.
The Abominations of Modern Society|Rev. T. De Witt Talmage

This game was devised to take the place of raffling, which was voted out of date.
Bright Ideas for Entertaining|Mrs. Herbert B. Linscott
The “raffling,” combined with the “rum”—which was now also meted out—produced for some time a noisy excitement.
Ran Away to Sea|Mayne Reid
But even though he marked it down to a dime, none would buy, so he announced his intention of raffling it off.
Tom Slade|Percy K. Fitzhugh

British Dictionary definitions for raffle

raffle

/ (ˈræfəl) /

noun

a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money
(as modifier)a raffle ticket

verb

(tr often foll by off) to dispose of (goods) in a raffle

Derived forms of raffle

raffler, noun

Word Origin for raffle

C14 (a dice game): from Old French, of obscure origin

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

raffle

Origin of raffle

OTHER WORDS FROM raffle

Other definitions for raffle (2 of 2)

Origin of raffle

Words related to raffle

How to use raffle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for raffle

Derived forms of raffle

Word Origin for raffle