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raff

1 American  
[raf] / ræf /

noun

  1. riffraff; rabble.

Raff 2 American  
[rahf] / rɑf /

noun

  1. Joseph Joachim, 1822–82, Swiss composer.

raff British  
/ ræf /

noun

  1. rubbish; refuse

  2. rabble or riffraff

"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

Etymology

Origin of raff

1665–75; extracted from riffraff ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the time the rule of the library's stern founder prevailed, barring all "riff raff and baggage books", particularly contemporary plays.

From The Guardian • Aug. 1, 2012

It's not always easy being a Queen, and Damon Albarn and pals' ghostly The Good, the Bad and the Queen laments the "blessed routine" that is the scourge of both riff raff and royalty.

From The Guardian • Jun. 7, 2012

This is an issue I take personally because I’m probably one of the riff raff who wouldn’t have made the cut in the pre-Internet media ecosystem.

From Forbes • Jul. 18, 2011

They are an international family of aristocratic robbing hoods, who steal from rich raff and usually give to the deserving.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I true believe your mut-thur is safe an’ soun’ on a raff like dis.

From "The Cay" by Theodore Taylor

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.