ragtag

American  

[rag-tag] / ˈrægˌtæg /

adjective

1. ragged rag ragged or shabby; disheveled.

2. made up of mixed, often diverse, elements.

   a ragtag crowd.

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ragtag British  

/ ˈræɡˌtæɡ /

noun

1. derogatory the common people; rabble (esp in the phrase ragtag and bobtail )

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Etymology

Origin of ragtag

First recorded in 1880–85; rag ¹ + tag ¹

Example Sentences

They entered the global stage as Yemen descended into civil war more than a decade ago when the ragtag militia fighters stormed Sanaa and ousted the government from most population centres.

From Barron's

Chandran says One Piece's universal appeal comes from its ragtag group of characters from different backgrounds.

From BBC

A ragtag group took to the Straits of Florida on a speedboat, wanting to spark a rebellion.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Security officers dead ahead,” I called to Regan, and I noticed again the ragtag appearance of our group.

From Literature

Relatives said they now believe the ragtag group’s mission was doomed from the start.

From The Wall Street Journal