raffle

1 of 3

verb

raf·​fle ˈra-fəl 

raffled; raffling ˈra-f(ə-)liŋ 

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

Synonyms of raffle

Noun (2)

• garbage
• debris
• truck
• trash
• junk
• rubbish
• dust
• litter

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

Verb

In addition to designer handbags, the couple also raffled off a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle and Cartier watches. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 7 July 2026

Mamdani announced in May that the city was raffling off 1,000 affordable World Cup tickets for just $50 apiece, including free round-trip bus trips to the stadium, exclusively for New York City residents. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026

Noun

As the story goes, Yamal’s parents won a charity raffle run by UNICEF and a Spanish newspaper. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 18 July 2026

Luck dictated that Yamal’s mother, who appears in the calendar photo, won a raffle of families in the city of Mataró, near Barcelona, who wanted to participate. — Joseph Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

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

Rhymes for raffle

• baffle

Kids Definition

raffle

1 of 2 verb

raf·​fle ˈraf-əl 

raffled; raffling ˈraf-(ə-)liŋ 

: 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