riff

¹

[rif]

noun

1. Jazz.,  a melodic phrase, often constantly repeated, forming an accompaniment or part of an accompaniment for a soloist.

2. a new variation on or a different manifestation of an existing thing or idea (often followed byon ).

   This is an eco-conscious riff on the study-abroad experience.

verb (used without object)

1. Jazz.,  to perform a repeated melodic phrase, forming an accompaniment for a soloist.

2. to experiment with a thing or idea, making changes that create a new and novel version of it (often followed byon ).

   My partner likes to let his ideas quietly simmer, but I prefer to riff on mine in conversations where I can bounce my thoughts off other people.

3. to create, write, or perform something, like a comedy routine, using a common or known point of departure and following a previously unexplored tangent from that known point to a fresh or humorous perspective (often followed by on oroff ).

   My act riffs off famous love stories and adds modern feminist elements to unmask the absurdity of “happily ever after” in fairy tales.

Riff

²

[rif]

noun

plural

Riffs, Riffi ,

plural

Riff .

1. a member of the Berber people living in Er Rif in northern Morocco.

2. Er Rif.

riff

/ rɪf /

noun

1. (in jazz or rock music) a short series of chords

verb

1. (intr) to play or perform riffs in jazz or rock music

2. informal,  to speak amusingly or make (amusing comments or remarks)

Other Word Forms

• Riffian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of riff¹

First recorded in 1930–35; perhaps alteration and shortening of refrain ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of riff¹

C20: probably altered and shortened from _refrain ²

Example Sentences

His lively melodies about love, hope and despair - embellished with catchy riffs - brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise tense social milieu.

From BBC

There's a thrilling version of Clocks that shudders with discordant guitar riffs before resolving into a powerful chorus; and an extended acoustic version of Sparks has fans swooning.

From BBC

It's named after the Farsi word for "my darling" and features an ear-tingling riff on the santur - a hammered dulcimer of Iranian origin.

From BBC

The president scolded a reporter for bringing up his recent post to Truth Social, threatening an invasion of Chicago in a riff of 1979’s “Apocalypse Now.”

From Salon

Although Sting was the band's primary songwriter, the other members both made contributions to their albums - and Summers has often claimed that he originated the iconic guitar riff on Every Breath You Take.

From BBC

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