chaff

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain
2
: something comparatively worthless
a few kernels of wisdom amid much discursive chaffSteven Raichlen
3
: the scales borne on the receptacle among the florets in the heads of many composite plants
4
: material (such as strips of foil or clusters of fine wires) ejected into the air for reflecting radar waves (as for confusing an enemy's radar detection)
planes equipped with chaff dispensers
chaffy adjective

chaff

2 of 3

noun (2)

: light jesting talk : banter

chaff

3 of 3

verb

chaffed; chaffing; chaffs

transitive verb

: to tease good-naturedly

Examples of chaff in a Sentence

Noun (1) there's a lot of chaff in this book, and the reader should be on the alert for it Noun (2) I got no end of chaff about my accent when I was in the military Verb chaffed her about the brightly colored shirt she had received as a gift a coworker who likes to chaff at others' expense, and this often results in hurt feelings
Recent Examples on the Web
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
So to me, it’s always been the later draft rounds that separate the fantasy wheat from the chaff. John Laghezza, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024 The same goes for a whole host of other digital solutions designed to help separate the chaff from the wheat. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Station execs didn’t think much of horror hosts and B-movie chaff. Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 25 Oct. 2024 The challenge is in discerning the wheat from the chaff. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chaff 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English chaf, from Old English ceaf; akin to Old High German cheva husk

Noun (2)

probably from chaff entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1821, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1820, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of chaff was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near chaff

Cite this Entry

“Chaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chaff. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

chaff

1 of 3 noun
1
: the seed coverings and other debris separated from the seed in threshing grain
2
: something worthless
chaffy adjective

chaff

2 of 3 noun
: light joking talk : banter

chaff

3 of 3 verb
: to tease good-naturedly

More from Merriam-Webster on chaff

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