adj
Uncommon
ragged
RA-gihd
Ragged (adj) means Torn or worn to shreds; tattered. Example: “He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days.”
adj
1
Torn or worn to shreds; tattered.
"He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days."
2
Uneven, rough, or lacking polish.
"The choir gave a ragged performance after barely any rehearsal."
"The coastline was a ragged line of cliffs and inlets."
How to use ragged
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTorn and worn-out — or, more broadly, rough and uneven rather than smooth or polished.
Common pairings
ragged edge
ragged clothes
a ragged performance
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ragged
- Superlative
- most ragged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a _____ old coat that had seen better days.
Etymology
From Middle English ragged, related to Old Norse words for "tufted" or "shaggy" — the same family as "rag."
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ragged
See all rhymes for ragged →Frequently asked questions
What does “ragged” mean?
The word “ragged” means torn or worn to shreds; tattered. In plain terms, torn and worn-out — or, more broadly, rough and uneven rather than smooth or polished.
How do you pronounce “ragged”?
“Ragged” is pronounced RA-gihd (/ˈɹæɡɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ragged” in a sentence?
Here is “ragged” used in a sentence: “He wore a ragged old coat that had seen better days.”
What part of speech is “ragged”?
“Ragged” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ragged” come from?
The word “ragged” comes from Middle English. From Middle English ragged, related to Old Norse words for "tufted" or "shaggy" — the same family as "rag.".
Is “ragged” a common word?
“Ragged” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ragged” have?
“Ragged” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: torn or worn to shreds; tattered.
