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

Noun (2)

• chaff
• deadwood
• debris
• dreck
• drek
• dross
• dust
• effluvium
• effluvia
• garbage
• junk
• litter
• offal
• offscouring
• refuse
• riffraff
• rubbish
• scrap
• spilth
• trash
• truck
• waste

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

The Giving Voice Foundation is raffling off a five-bottle Antique Buffalo Trace collection to support free community programs for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and their caregivers. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 June 2024

In 2012, Springsteen donated $10,000 of his own money and a pair of front-row seats for St. Mary’s to raffle off. —Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024

Noun

There will be food, games, a country store and raffles. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024

Runners who sign up for the run at the link in Kansas Run Club’s Instagram bio are entered into the raffle. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024

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

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