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rag
1[ rag ]
/ ræg /
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noun
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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
1First 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 /
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
2First 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
3First 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
4First recorded in 1895–1900; shortened form of ragtime
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rag in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rag (1 of 4)
rag1
/ (ræɡ) /
noun
See also rags
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
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Other Idioms and Phrases with rag
rag
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.