rags
Britishplural noun
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torn, old, or shabby clothing
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cotton or linen cloth waste used in the manufacture of rag paper
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informal
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from poverty to great wealth
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( as modifier )
a rags-to-riches tale
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informal best clothes; finery
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.
In the field behind them, a scarecrow in the form of an archer, along with rags fluttering from lines of string, are meant to keep birds from scavenging the newly planted seeds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Weaving together her memory of a childhood jacket her mother made from rags with the biblical tale of Joseph, “Coat” was a statement of identity and purpose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
It and other rags insinuate the problem, As Ever, is the royal formerly known as Meghan Markle.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
That he hails from such a region has fuelled the rags to riches aspect of his story.
From BBC ● May 7, 2026
In despair I wound the rags about me again.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
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