ragged

adjective

rag·​ged ˈra-gəd 

1

: roughly unkempt

2

: having an irregular edge or outline

3

a

: torn or worn to tatters

b

: worn-out from stress and strain

ran herself ragged

4

: wearing tattered clothes

5

a

: straggly

b

: executed in an irregular or uneven manner

c

of a sound : harsh, dissonant

raggedly adverb

raggedness noun

Synonyms of ragged

• jagged

Examples of ragged in a Sentence

a boy in ragged jeans

You look a little ragged—did you have a rough week?

Recent Examples on the Web

At 43, Laferte’s vocal cords have reached a decadent peak — angry and ragged, deliciously wounded. — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Leaving ragged, uneven stem ends behind may help introduce disease to your lily plants. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 July 2026

Cool Machine, in places, is a detective novel for men on the other side of the law, who check hunches and double back on evidence and places of interest, chasing leads — and running themselves ragged. — Niela Orr, Vulture, 20 July 2026

But even ragged with a slippery ball, the Springboks still blanked Wales in successive matches for the first time since the first two matches in this rivalry, in 1906 and 1912. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ragged

• on the ragged edge
• ragged robin
• run (someone) ragged

Kids Definition

ragged

adjective

rag·​ged ˈrag-əd 

1

: having a rough or uneven edge or outline

ragged cliffs

2

a

: torn or worn to or as if to tatters

a ragged dress

b

: wearing tattered clothes

a ragged child

3

: done in an uneven way

a ragged performance

raggedly adverb

raggedness noun