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)

• 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

Rides in the Stearman typically start at $375, but this weekend free rides are to be raffled away as part of the event. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2025

The Giving Voice Foundation is raffling off an Antique Buffalo Trace collection to support free community programs for adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Noun

The family-friendly event will feature games with prizes, a raffle for a laptop computer, free pizza and free backpacks for the first 200 children who attend, according to a social media post. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

There will be a coin auction, refreshments, and a coin raffle. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025

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