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adj Uncommon

ragged

RA-gihd

Ragged (adj) means Torn or worn to shreds; tattered. Example: “He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days.”

adj
1
Torn or worn to shreds; tattered.
"He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days."
2
Uneven, rough, or lacking polish.
"The choir gave a ragged performance after barely any rehearsal."
"The coastline was a ragged line of cliffs and inlets."

How to use ragged

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTorn and worn-out — or, more broadly, rough and uneven rather than smooth or polished.

Common pairings
ragged edge ragged clothes a ragged performance

Word forms

more ragged comparative, most ragged superlative

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Test yourself on “ragged” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He wore a _____ old coat that had seen better days.

Etymology

From Middle English ragged, related to Old Norse words for "tufted" or "shaggy" — the same family as "rag."

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for ragged

See all rhymes for ragged →

Frequently asked questions

What does “ragged” mean?

The word “ragged” means torn or worn to shreds; tattered. In plain terms, torn and worn-out — or, more broadly, rough and uneven rather than smooth or polished.

How do you pronounce “ragged”?

“Ragged” is pronounced RA-gihd (/ˈɹæɡɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “ragged” in a sentence?

Here is “ragged” used in a sentence: “He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days.”

What part of speech is “ragged”?

“Ragged” is an adjective.

Where does the word “ragged” come from?

The word “ragged” comes from Middle English. From Middle English ragged, related to Old Norse words for "tufted" or "shaggy" — the same family as "rag.".

Is “ragged” a common word?

“Ragged” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ragged” have?

“Ragged” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: torn or worn to shreds; tattered.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial