noun
chaff
chaf
noun
1
The dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing.
"The wind blew the chaff away, leaving clean grain behind."
"Farmers used to burn the leftover chaff in the fields."
2
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."
verb
1
To tease or make good-natured fun of someone.
"His friends chaffed him for showing up late again."
"They chaffed each other about their terrible golf swings."
How to Use Chaff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLeftover grain husks, or by extension, worthless material — and as a verb, to tease someone lightly.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "chafe," which means to rub painfully or become irritated.
Easily confused with
chafe
Common pairings
wheat from the chaff
separate the chaff
Word Forms
chaffed past tense, chaffs plural, chaffs singular
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The wind blew the _____ away, leaving clean grain behind.
Etymology
From Old English ceaf, related to similar words for grain husks in other Germanic languages.