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
Tom Roland, Billboard, 18 June 2025
This is reflected in the title as well, which is kind of a riff on the old Ang Lee film Eat Drink Man Woman.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The next night, Hiaasen was seated in the choir room of a Vero Beach church, riffing with his friend and longtime Herald colleague Dave Barry about Tarrio’s freedom and other recent news.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
Jones created an ascendant acoustic riff with a bluegrass flavor and would play it instinctively while noodling on her guitar.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 18 June 2025
This is reflected in the title as well, which is kind of a riff on the old Ang Lee film Eat Drink Man Woman.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Verb
In late-night talk-show writers rooms, the true comedy purists have long pleaded for evergreen rather than topical jokes, but riffing off the news pays off.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
The next night, Hiaasen was seated in the choir room of a Vero Beach church, riffing with his friend and longtime Herald colleague Dave Barry about Tarrio’s freedom and other recent news.
—Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 8 May 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 25 Jun. 2025.
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