Showing definitions for ratchet

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Slang dictionary results for ratchet

ratchet

¹ American  

[rach-it] / ˈrætʃ ɪt /

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.

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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 American  

[rach-it] / ˈrætʃ ɪt /

Also ratched

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.

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ratchet British  

/ 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

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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

Usage

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."

Other Word Forms

• ratchetness
  noun

Etymology

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

Explanation

A ratchet is a gadget with mechanical teeth on a wheel that moves in only one direction. Therefore, ratcheting is to move something slowly in one direction. A ratchet is a device that allows you to move or crank something in a specific direction: a ratchet only moves one way. You can tell a ratchet by the wheel of mechanical teeth. Ratchets are part of larger devices, especially in factories. Also, if you ratchet something up or down, you're gradually moving it in that direction. You can ratchet something physically, or a great speaker could ratchet up the energy in a crowd.

Example Sentences

That's the so-called "golden ratchet" that has allowed for increases in the grant, but prevented it going down.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

One casualty was a Texas plant built to make Craftsman-brand wrenches and ratchet sets that had been coming from China.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

“To ratchet up the pressure,” his lawsuit says, the firm “froze his tokens,” meaning they could not be transferred to anyone.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

He also thinks Microsoft’s price/earnings ratio could ratchet up to 20 from 16 times, which would boost the share price another 25%.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Really, just say, “Cash Money Records, takin’ over for the ’99 and the 2000,” and she suddenly becomes ratchet as hell.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• disk
• drum
• roller