rag

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

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See synonyms for: rag / ragged / ragging / rags on Thesaurus.com

noun

a worthless piece of cloth, especially one that is torn or worn.

rags, ragged or tattered clothing: The tramp was dressed in rags.

any article of apparel regarded deprecatingly or self-deprecatingly, especially a dress: It's just an old rag I had in the closet.

a shred, scrap, or fragmentary bit of anything.

Informal.

something of very low value or in very poor condition.
a newspaper or magazine regarded with contempt or distaste: Are you still subscribing to that rag?

a person of shabby or exhausted appearance.

a large roofing slate that has one edge untrimmed.

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Idioms about rag

chew the rag. chew (def. 11).

from rags to riches, from extreme poverty to great wealth: He went from rags to riches in only three years.

Origin of rag

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English ragge, from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian, Swedish ragg “coarse hair,” from Old Norse rǫgg

Words nearby rag

rafter, raft ice, rafting, raftsman, RAFVR, rag, raga, ragamuffin, rag-and-bone man, ragbag, rag bolt

Other definitions for rag (2 of 4)

rag²

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

Informal.

verb (used without object) ragged, rag·ging.

to subject a person to teasing or scolding, especially in an intense or prolonged way (usually followed by on): Some of the boys were ragging on him about his haircut.

to criticize a person or thing (usually followed by on): He rags and whines to me instead of fixing the problem.I wish reviewers would stop ragging on the movie.

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to subject to teasing or scolding, especially in an intense or prolonged way: He was ragged at school for not joining a sports team.

to criticize.

British. to torment with jokes; play crude practical jokes on.

noun

British. an act of ragging; a cruel or crude practical joke.

Origin of rag

First recorded in 1735–40; origin uncertain

Other definitions for rag (3 of 4)

rag³

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to break up (lumps of ore) for sorting.

Origin of rag

First recorded in 1870–75; origin uncertain

Other definitions for rag (4 of 4)

rag⁴

[ rag ]

/ ræg /

noun

a musical composition in ragtime: a piano rag.

verb (used with object), ragged, rag·ging.

to play (music) in ragtime.

Origin of rag

⁴

First recorded in 1895–1900; shortened form of ragtime

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use rag in a sentence

To refresh them, spray some bike degreaser on the tape or grips and wipe everything down thoroughly with a clean sponge or rag.
How to Clean Your Cycling Gear|agintzler|July 17, 2021|Outside Online
At the end, they left with four bottles of cooking oil and a cleaning rag.
Food Shortages, COVID-19, and Instagram: The Driving Forces Behind the Cuba Protests|Vera Bergengruen|July 12, 2021|Time
The rags to riches stories that define many players’ entry to elite sport can all too frequently play out in reverse when they leave it.
Former Manchester United footballer Louis Saha is helping athletes become media entrepreneurs|Seb Joseph|June 24, 2021|Digiday
Use a rag lightly dampened with degreaser followed by a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol to strip any residue left on the surface.
Maintenance That Will Prep Your Bike for Spring|Joe Lindsey|March 29, 2021|Outside Online

My buff, for example, worked as a neck warmer, face mask, headband and rag — for wiping grease or sunscreen off my hands.
How to take an overnight trip with your two-wheeled vehicle|Melanie D.G. Kaplan|March 26, 2021|Washington Post
Then Ziegler tosses the buff LaBeouf around like a rag doll.
Sia and Shia LaBeouf’s Pedophilia Nontroversy Over ‘Elastic Heart’|Marlow Stern|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Plus the notion of the poor little guy surrounded by a rag-tag pack of true believers is an American favorite.
Honey Boo Boo, Snake Oil, and Ebola: The Weird World of Young Living Essential Oils|Kent Sepkowitz|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He stuck the barrel of the gun out his window and started wiping it down with a rag.
A Shooting on a Tribal Land Uncovers Feds Running Wild|Caitlin Dickson|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1992, she was spotted by Sassy magazine, and became a model/intern for the fashion rag.
Chloe Sevigny on ‘The Cosmopolitans,’ New York’s Frat Boy Takeover, and ‘Asshole’ Michael Alig|Marlow Stern|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You should be so proud of yourself working for an illegitimate rag like the Daily Beast.
Dear Moon Landing Deniers: Sorry I Called You Moon Landing Deniers|Olivia Nuzzi|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The early pump had rag balls, in keeping with the mechanical ignorance of the time, and suitable to man's power.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The large size of the rag-wheel gave the rapidly revolving chain and balls a great speed.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
Strain the mixture through a linen rag several times; adding, at the last operation, two ounces of bear's grease.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Away off the bed, over the bright rag carpet, and past the red fire, safely and swiftly they trotted.
Seven O'Clock Stories|Robert Gordon Anderson
It is a common practice in erecting buildings with a facing of Kentish rag rubble to back up the stonework with bricks.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for rag (1 of 4)

rag¹

/ (ræɡ) /

noun

a small piece of cloth, such as one torn from a discarded garment, or such pieces of cloth collectively
(as modifier)a rag doll; a rag book; rag paper

a fragmentary piece of any material; scrap; shred

informal a newspaper or other journal, esp one considered as worthless, sensational, etc

informal an item of clothing

informal a handkerchief

British slang esp nautical a flag or ensign

lose one's rag to lose one's temper suddenly

Word Origin for rag

C14: probably back formation from ragged, from Old English raggig; related to Old Norse rögg tuft

British Dictionary definitions for rag (2 of 4)

rag²

/ (ræɡ) /

verb rags, ragging or ragged (tr)

to draw attention facetiously and persistently to the shortcomings or alleged shortcomings of (a person)

British to play rough practical jokes on

noun

British a boisterous practical joke, esp one on a fellow student

(in British universities)

a period, usually a week, in which various events are organized to raise money for charity, including a procession of decorated floats and tableaux
(as modifier)rag day

Word Origin for rag

C18: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for rag (3 of 4)

rag³

/ (ræɡ) jazz /

noun

a piece of ragtime music

verb rags, ragging or ragged

(tr) to compose or perform in ragtime

Word Origin for rag

C20: shortened from ragtime

British Dictionary definitions for rag (4 of 4)

rag⁴

/ (ræɡ) /

noun

a roofing slate that is rough on one side

Word Origin for rag

C13: 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

Other Idioms and Phrases with rag

rag

In addition to the idiom beginning with rag

rag doll

also see:

chew the fat (rag)
from rags to riches
glad rags
run ragged

rag

Idioms about rag

Origin of rag

Words nearby rag

Other definitions for rag (2 of 4)

Origin of rag

Other definitions for rag (3 of 4)

Origin of rag

Other definitions for rag (4 of 4)

Origin of rag

Words related to rag

How to use rag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rag (1 of 4)

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for rag (2 of 4)

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for rag (3 of 4)

Word Origin for rag

British Dictionary definitions for rag (4 of 4)

Word Origin for rag

Other Idioms and Phrases with rag