raffle

1 of 3

verb

raf·​fle ˈra-fəl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈra-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to engage in a raffle

transitive verb

: to dispose of by means of a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a lottery in which the prize is won by one of numerous persons buying chances

raffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: rubbish
especially : a jumble or tangle of nautical equipment

Examples of raffle in a Sentence

Noun (2) the front lawn was littered with the raffle that the roofers had left behind
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
In return, the team might provide tickets to upcoming games that can be raffled off or given away to loyal customers of the ice cream shop. Rohit Arora, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 What's next: At the event, the club will raffle off free tickets to its home opener at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 22. Kate Murphy, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
The event features a chili-tasting contest, where participants vote for the best, along with music, a raffle, silent auction and a cash bar. San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025 In addition to raffle tickets, food and beverages will also be available for purchase that evening. Sharon Hlapcich, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raffle

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rafle, a dice game, from Middle French, dice game in which all the stakes can be won in a throw, literally, rake for a fire, from Middle High German raffel rake for a fire, from raffen to snatch, gather

Noun (2)

probably from French rafle act of snatching, sweeping, from Middle French, rake for a fire

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1709, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raffle was in 1543

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raffle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

raffle

1 of 2 verb
raf·​fle ˈraf-əl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈraf-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)
: to dispose of by a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 2 noun
: the sale of chances for a prize whose winner is the one whose ticket is picked at a drawing

More from Merriam-Webster on raffle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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