chaff
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for chaff, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use chaff
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English ceaf, related to similar words for grain husks in other Germanic languages.
Full origin of chaff →Frequently asked questions
What does “chaff” mean?
The word “chaff” means the dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing. In plain terms, leftover grain husks, or by extension, worthless material — and as a verb, to tease someone lightly.
How do you pronounce “chaff”?
“Chaff” is pronounced chaf (/t͡ʃæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “chaff” in a sentence?
Here is “chaff” used in a sentence: “The wind blew the chaff away, leaving clean grain behind.”
What part of speech is “chaff”?
Depending on how it is used, “chaff” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chaff” come from?
The word “chaff” comes from Old English. From Old English ceaf, related to similar words for grain husks in other Germanic languages.
How many meanings does “chaff” have?
“Chaff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing.