rag
22 synonyms for rag, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A worn or torn piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A worn or torn piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning.
“He wiped the engine oil off his hands with an old rag.”
How to use rag
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a piece of rag
rag doll
rag on someone
the local rag
"Rag" for a newspaper and "rag on someone" are both informal/slang uses.
Etymology
From Old English ragg, "a tuft" or "shagginess," related to Old Norse rǫgg — the same root that gives us "rug."
Full origin of rag →Frequently asked questions
What does “rag” mean?
The word “rag” means a worn or torn piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning. In plain terms, a scrap of old cloth — or, informally, a low-quality newspaper, or to gently mock someone.
How do you pronounce “rag”?
“Rag” is pronounced rag (/ɹæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rag” in a sentence?
Here is “rag” used in a sentence: “He wiped the engine oil off his hands with an old rag.”
What part of speech is “rag”?
Depending on how it is used, “rag” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rag” come from?
The word “rag” comes from Old English. From Old English ragg, "a tuft" or "shagginess," related to Old Norse rǫgg — the same root that gives us "rug.".
Is “rag” a common word?
“Rag” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rag” have?
“Rag” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a worn or torn piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning.
What is the difference between a rag and a cloth?
A rag is specifically a worn or torn piece of old cloth, often kept for cleaning purposes, while cloth is a general term for any woven or fabric material regardless of its condition. Not all cloth is a rag, but every rag is made of cloth.
Why is rag sometimes used as a disparaging word for a newspaper?
Rag is used informally and disparagingly to describe a newspaper seen as low quality, sensationalist, or unreliable, comparing it to a worthless scrap of old cloth. It's a dismissive term rather than a neutral description of a publication.
What does it mean to rag someone?
As an informal verb, to rag someone means to tease or mock them, usually in a good-natured or playful way rather than with genuine malice.
