ratchet

¹

[rach-it]

noun

1. a toothed bar with which a pawl engages.

2. (not in technical use) a pawl or the like used with a ratchet or ratchet wheel.

3. a mechanism consisting of such a bar or wheel with the pawl.

4. ratchet wheel.

5. a steady progression up or down.

   the upward ratchet of oil prices.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move by degrees (often followed by up ordown ).

   to ratchet prices up;

   Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.

ratchet

²

Also ratched

[rach-it]

adjective

Slang.

1. flashy, unrefined, etc.; low-class.

   ratchet girls wearing too much makeup.

2. exhibiting or affirming low-class traits in a way that is considered authentic.

   Better to stay a ratchet bitch than become a bougie poser like her.

3. extremely good; awesome.

ratchet

/ ˈrætʃɪt /

noun

1. a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only

2. the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device

verb

1. to operate using a ratchet

2. to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly

   electricity prices will ratchet up this year

   Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again

Other Word Forms

• ratchetness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratchet¹

First recorded in 1650–60; alteration of French rochet; Middle French rocquet “a blunt lance-head,” from Germanic; compare Old High German rocko, roccho “distaff”

Origin of ratchet²

First recorded in 1990–95; from a dance and genre of hip-hop music originating in Shreveport, Louisiana

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratchet¹

C17: from French rochet , from Old French rocquet blunt head of a lance, of Germanic origin: compare Old High German rocko distaff

Example Sentences

Nationwide, the pendulum has shifted profoundly from a period when school officials ratcheted up graduation requirements as a way to spur student achievement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So in the spring of 2024, Beijing ratcheted up pressure on tech executives.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Now, the prospect of also building a nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia has ratcheted up the ambition—and difficulty—even further.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Another loss will only ratchet up the pressure on Wane.

Read more on BBC

Last month, Washington ratcheted up sanctions on Russia with a direct focus on its oil companies, including Lukoil.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disk 
• drum 
• roller 

When To Use

What else does ratchet mean?

Ratchet is a slang term that can mean "exciting" or "excellent," often used as a term of empowerment among women. Some may also use ratchet for when they are feeling "bad" in some way.The term has been previously used, however, as an insult characterizing a woman as being "overdramatic" or "promiscuous."