raffia

noun

raf·​fia ˈra-fē-ə 

: the fiber of the raffia palm used especially as cord for tying and weaving

Examples of raffia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Chloe Malle, Vogue’s head of editorial content, favors a colorful mini dress from Matteau, layered over a black bathing suit and finished with T-strap sandals and a raffia hat—proof that simple does not mean boring. — Minty Mellon, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026

Go for crisp white accessories by day, then add raffia heels and a bold lip for night. — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2026

Shop summer sandals—from raffia slides to nostalgic jellies and classic flip-flops—that will earn you compliments (and keep you cool), below. — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 31 July 2026

His work uses Japanese cotton or Italian silk, along with Burkinabé faso dan fani, Ghanaian kente, or Cameroonian raffia. — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Malagasy rafia

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing raffia

• raffia palm

Kids Definition

raffia

noun

raf·​fia ˈraf-ē-ə 

: fiber from a palm of Madagascar and Africa used as a cord for weaving various articles (as baskets or hats) and for tying