noun
riffle
Riffle (noun) means a fast, shallow stretch of a stream where the water breaks up on the surface.
noun
1
A fast, shallow stretch of a stream where the water breaks up on the surface.
"They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies"
— James Alexander Henshall, Bass (1903)
2
A series of small ripples or waves.
3
A channel or sluice fitted with ridges, grooves or steps along its base, used to hold mercury and trap flecks of gold as gold-bearing soil is washed through it; also, one of those ridges, grooves or steps.
4
A fast flick through a book's pages.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like riffle.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Possibly an alteration of ruffle, from Middle English ruffelen, which is akin to Low German ruffelen ("to crumple").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for riffle
See all rhymes for riffle →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of riffle?
"riffle" (noun) means a fast, shallow stretch of a stream where the water breaks up on the surface.
What is another word for riffle?
Other words for "riffle" include ripple, rippling, wavelet.
What are the different meanings of riffle?
"riffle" has 3 main meanings: 1. A fast, shallow stretch of a stream where the water breaks up on the surface; 2. A series of small ripples or waves; 3. A channel or sluice fitted with ridges, grooves or steps along its base, used to hold mercury and trap flecks of gold as gold-bearing soil is washed through it; also, one of those ridges, grooves or steps.
