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

Items to be raffled include tickets to the Chicago Cubs/Chicago White Sox Crosstown Classic, lottery tickets, a variety of bar glasses, home decor and sportswear, according to a social media post. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Painted in 1921, that work was purchased for the raffle from billionaire art collector David Nahmad, who argued in an interview with The Associated Press that Picasso would have approved of his work being raffled. —CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026

Noun

This free community event features live entertainment, food trucks, raffles, line dancing, lawn games and activities for children. —Chase Jordan april 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2026

There will also be local vendors, food trucks, raffle prizes and a silent auction. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 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