1
: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
also
: a piece based on such a phrase
2
: a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
especially
: one that is part of a comic performance
3
: a succinct usually witty comment
4
: a distinct variation : take
a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story—
Daria Donnelly
Daria Donnelly
riffed; riffing; riffs
: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
Examples of riff in a Sentence
Noun
He stole that riff from another song.
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Recent Examples on the Web
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman step in as a trio of billionaires, meant to be riffs on the modern mogul.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Alchemist gives Gibbs his space to riff, but knows when to interject and add on to the conversation.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
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
Casillas developed a riff on cochinita pibil for Puesto, along with a celebratory Pistachio Tres Leches cake, and shared his recipes and techniques here.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman step in as a trio of billionaires, meant to be riffs on the modern mogul.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
The latter riffs mythopoetically on the region’s aerospace industry, and the former features an anthropology of our freeways any native Angeleno could get behind.
—John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Alchemist gives Gibbs his space to riff, but knows when to interject and add on to the conversation.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share