1
: the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain
2
: something comparatively worthless
a few kernels of wisdom amid much discursive chaff—
Steven Raichlen
Steven Raichlen3
: the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants
4
: material (such as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires) ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for confusing an enemy's radar detection)
planes equipped with chaff dispensers
chaffed; chaffing; chaffs
: to tease good-naturedly
Synonyms
Examples of chaff in a Sentence
Noun (1)
there's a lot of chaff in this book, and the reader should be on the alert for it
Noun (2)
I got no end of chaff about my accent when I was in the military
Verb
chaffed her about the brightly colored shirt she had received as a gift
a coworker who likes to chaff at others' expense, and this often results in hurt feelings
Recent Examples on the Web
John Laghezza, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
The same goes for a whole host of other digital solutions designed to help separate the chaff from the wheat.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Station execs didn’t think much of horror hosts and B-movie chaff.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024
The challenge is in discerning the wheat from the chaff.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chaff 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
So to me, it’s always been the later draft rounds that separate the fantasy wheat from the chaff.
—John Laghezza, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024
The same goes for a whole host of other digital solutions designed to help separate the chaff from the wheat.
—Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Station execs didn’t think much of horror hosts and B-movie chaff.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024
The challenge is in discerning the wheat from the chaff.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chaff
Dictionary Entries Near chaff
Cite this Entry
“Chaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaff. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share