noun

raff

raf

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Raff (noun) means Worthless or disorderly people considered as a group; the rabble. Example: “The old innkeeper complained that the tavern had filled up with raff and troublemakers.”

noun

Worthless or disorderly people considered as a group; the rabble.

"The old innkeeper complained that the tavern had filled up with raff and troublemakers."

"He refused to associate with what he called the raff of the port town."

A jumbled heap of odds and ends, especially cheap or worthless items.

"The attic was packed with raff nobody had bothered to sort through in decades."

How to use raff

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA dismissive word for a disorderly crowd of people, or for a messy heap of junk.

Common mistake

Rarely used alone today outside of the compound "riffraff" — using "raff" by itself can sound archaic or overly literary.

Common pairings

riffraff raff and refuse

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: raffs
Third person singular: raffs
Past tense: raffed

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Can you complete this real example?

The old innkeeper complained that the tavern had filled up with _____ and troublemakers.

Etymology

From Middle English raf, borrowed from Old French raffer ("to snatch"), of Germanic origin — the same root that gives us "riffraff."

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for raff

aff gaff staff chaff graff

See all rhymes for raff →

Frequently asked questions

What does “raff” mean?

The word “raff” means worthless or disorderly people considered as a group; the rabble. In plain terms, a dismissive word for a disorderly crowd of people, or for a messy heap of junk.

How do you pronounce “raff”?

“Raff” is pronounced raf (/ɹæf/ in IPA).

How do you use “raff” in a sentence?

Here is “raff” used in a sentence: “The old innkeeper complained that the tavern had filled up with raff and troublemakers.”

What part of speech is “raff”?

“Raff” is a noun.

Where does the word “raff” come from?

The word “raff” comes from Old French. From Middle English raf, borrowed from Old French raffer ("to snatch"), of Germanic origin — the same root that gives us "riffraff.".

How many meanings does “raff” have?

“Raff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: worthless or disorderly people considered as a group; the rabble.

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