chaff

9 synonyms and 1 antonym 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.

kid josh

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

straw jolly stalk banter

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

husk shuck stubble

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing.

“The wind blew the chaff away, leaving clean grain behind.”

kid josh straw jolly stalk banter husk shuck stubble

2. noun

Something considered worthless or unwanted, especially compared with something valuable ("separating the wheat from the chaff").

“The editor cut the chaff and kept only the strongest essays.”

Opposites

substance

3. verb

To tease or make good-natured fun of someone.

“His friends chaffed him for showing up late again.”

kid josh banter jolly

How to use chaff

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

wheat from the chaff separate the chaff

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.

Related words

paleaceous paleous

People also searched

kid substance Josh straw jolly stalk banter husk shuck stubble

Nearby words

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