riffraff

noun

riff·​raff ˈrif-ˌraf 

1

a

: disreputable persons

b

: rabble

c

: one of the riffraff

2

: refuse, rubbish

riffraff adjective

Synonyms

• chaff
• deadwood
• debris
• dreck
• drek
• dross
• dust
• effluvium
• effluvia
• garbage
• junk
• litter
• offal
• offscouring
• raffle
• refuse
• rubbish
• scrap
• spilth
• trash
• truck
• waste

Examples of riffraff in a Sentence

Try not to associate with that riffraff.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Cathedrals were beautifying public icons that often served the poor; yachts are designed to hide their splendors from the prying eyes of the riffraff. —Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025

Lawyers, journalists and similar riffraff congregated at lunch or after work, and Vincent worked the room, table-hopping with jokes or movie reviews or tales from his latest intriguing trip. —Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Sep. 2024

The bar’s owner, Frankie (a spirited Jessica Williams), has hired Dalton to purge the riffraff, the better to realize her dream of making the Road House a respectable joint worthy of destination weddings and romantic getaways. —Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

Bypass the riffraff and turn your ideas into something concrete. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

riffraff

noun

riff·​raff ˈrif-ˌraf 

1

: a class of people who are looked down upon : rabble

2

: rubbish

riffraff adjective