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 September, Ruth knitted a mini Cloud jersey for a Labubu, which was raffled off at a watch party during the WNBA playoffs. —Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026

The sweepstakes for Fulhouse's first property is set to close at the end of March, and if the entries reach the selling point, Graf says it will be raffled off. —Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025

Noun

The meeting also includes silent auction tables and a raffle. —Holly Andres, Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026

Additionally, the shop will be offering a buy-one-get-one 50% off promotion all weekend, plus assorted raffles and giveaways, according to an announcement on Facebook. —Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 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