Riffraff — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈrif-ˌraf/ riff·raff

Meaning & Definition of Riffraff

Riffraff (noun)

  1. disreputable persons
  2. rabble
  3. one of the riffraff

Riffraff (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. discarded or useless material

    "the sight of piles and piles of riffraff at the town dump was a sobering reminder that we are indeed a society of consumers"

    similar: chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck, dross, dust, effluvium, garbage, junk, litter, offal, offscouring, raffle, refuse, rubbish, scrap, spilth, trash, truck, waste
    related: crud, sewage, slop, swill, wash, detritus, remains, rubble, ruins, dump, scrap heap, lumber, odds and ends, trumpery, flotsam, jetsam, wreckage, castoff, cull, discard, hand-me-down, reject, throwaway, nothing, straw, two bits
    near: catch, gem, goody, jewel, pearl, plum, prize, treasure, treasure trove, trove, valuable, booty, find, salvage

  2. people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class

    "local ordinances that are intended to keep the riffraff out of the town"

    similar: proletariat, rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail, trash, unwashed
    related: dregs, commoners, commons, herd, hoi polloi, masses, millions, mob, multitude, people, plebeians, populace, public, rank and file, bourgeoisie, middle class, working class
    opposite: A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class, upper crust
    near: elect, establishment, gentlefolk, nobility, peerage

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Riffraff

The most common words with a similar meaning to Riffraff:

chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck, dross, dust, effluvium, garbage, junk, litter, offal, offscouring, raffle, refuse, rubbish, scrap, spilth, trash, truck, waste, proletariat, rabble, rabblement, ragtag and bobtail, rout, scum, tag, rag, and bobtail, unwashed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Riffraff

Words with the opposite meaning of Riffraff:

A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class, upper crust

Related Words for Riffraff

crud, sewage, slop, swill, wash, detritus, remains, rubble, ruins, dump, scrap heap, lumber, odds and ends, trumpery, flotsam, jetsam, wreckage, castoff, cull, discard, hand-me-down, reject, throwaway, nothing, straw, two bits, dregs, commoners, commons, herd

Near Antonyms of Riffraff

catch, gem, goody, jewel, pearl, plum, prize, treasure, treasure trove, trove, valuable, booty, find, salvage, elect, establishment, gentlefolk, nobility, peerage

Word Forms of Riffraff

Derived words: riffraff (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Riffraff

Middle English ryffe raffe, from rif and raf every single one, from Anglo-French rif e raf altogether

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Riffraff

What does "Riffraff" mean?

"Riffraff" means disreputable persons. As a noun, it is defined as: disreputable persons. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Riffraff"?

Other words for "Riffraff" include chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck, dross, dust, effluvium and garbage. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Riffraff" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Riffraff"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Riffraff". Common alternatives include chaff, deadwood, debris, dreck, dross, dust, effluvium, garbage, junk and litter.

What is the opposite of "Riffraff"?

Antonyms of "Riffraff" include A-list, aristocracy, elite, gentry, quality, society, upper class and upper crust. Near antonyms include catch, gem, goody and jewel.

How do you use "Riffraff" in a sentence?

Examples of "Riffraff" in a sentence: "the sight of piles and piles of riffraff at the town dump was a sobering reminder that we are indeed a society of consumers"; "local ordinances that are intended to keep the riffraff out of the town".

Is "Riffraff" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Riffraff" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Riffraff"?

"Riffraff" is pronounced /ˈrif-ˌraf/ and divided into syllables as riff·raff.

What is the origin of the word "Riffraff"?

"Riffraff" comes from Middle English ryffe raffe, from rif and raf every single one, from Anglo-French rif e raf altogether. First known use: 15th century.