riffraff: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/MediumInformal, often derogatory
Quick answer
What does “riffraff” mean?
People who are considered disreputable or undesirable, often from a lower social class.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
People who are considered disreputable or undesirable, often from a lower social class.
Can refer to a group of people perceived as worthless, troublesome, or of low moral character; sometimes used to dismiss crowds or protesters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally understood and used in both varieties. Slightly more archaic/class-conscious in UK usage.
Connotations
UK: Often carries stronger historical class connotations. US: Slightly broader, can imply general troublemakers or lowlifes.
Frequency
Higher frequency in historical/literary contexts than in modern casual speech in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “riffraff” in a Sentence
[determiner] + riffraff (e.g., the riffraff, that riffraff)verb + preposition + riffraff (e.g., consort with the riffraff)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used dismissively about competitors or union members.
Academic
Used in historical/sociological contexts discussing class structures.
Everyday
Used to express disdain for a noisy or troublesome group.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “riffraff”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “riffraff”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “riffraff”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'three riffraffs' — incorrect; it's collective: 'three members of the riffraff').
- Using in formal contexts where it sounds archaic or offensive.
- Misspelling as 'riff-raff' or 'riff raff'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is inherently pejorative and dismissive. It expresses contempt for a group based on perceived social or moral inferiority.
No, it is a collective noun referring to a group or class of people. You would say 'He is one of the riffraff' not 'He is a riffraff'.
It comes from Old French 'rif et raf', meaning 'one and all, every bit', which itself came from verbs meaning 'to plunder' and 'to snatch'. Over time, it came to mean 'sweepings, refuse' and then applied to people.
It is somewhat archaic and carries a historical flavour, often associated with 19th or early 20th-century class attitudes. It is still understood and used for deliberate stylistic or derogatory effect.
People who are considered disreputable or undesirable, often from a lower social class.
Riffraff is usually informal, often derogatory in register.
Riffraff: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪf.raf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪf.ræf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “riffraff and rabble”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Riffraff sounds like 'rough rough' — imagine a rough, undesirable crowd.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A HIERARCHICAL BODY (with riffraff as the unwanted/waste part).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'riffraff' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?