noun
chaff
chaf
Chaff (noun) means the dry, papery husks separated from grain during threshing. Example: “The wind blew the chaff away, leaving clean grain behind.”
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
Common pairings
wheat from the chaff
separate the chaff
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Word forms
- Plural
- chaffs
- Third person singular
- chaffs
- Past tense
- chaffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Rhymes for chaff
See all rhymes for 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.
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