ragged

adjective

rag·​ged ˈra-gəd 

1

: roughly unkempt

2

: having an irregular edge or outline

3

a

: torn or worn to tatters

b

: worn-out from stress and strain

ran herself ragged

4

: wearing tattered clothes

5

a

: straggly

b

: executed in an irregular or uneven manner

c

of a sound : harsh, dissonant

raggedly adverb

raggedness noun

Synonyms of ragged

• jagged

Examples of ragged in a Sentence

a boy in ragged jeans

You look a little ragged—did you have a rough week?

Recent Examples on the Web

Digne, run ragged by the 70-minute mark, was substituted for Theo Hernandez. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026

After a poor show against the Springboks, England was under pressure to avoid a sixth straight test defeat for the first time in 20 years and beat Fiji, which ran Wales ragged last weekend but was overcome in the set-pieces. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

This leaves ragged and bruised leaf tips behind that quickly turn brown and are more susceptible to disease. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

His hushed, ragged whisper feels suitably weathered, fitting a collection of songs that never are in a hurry. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ragged

• on the ragged edge
• ragged robin
• run (someone) ragged

Kids Definition

ragged

adjective

rag·​ged ˈrag-əd 

1

: having a rough or uneven edge or outline

ragged cliffs

2

a

: torn or worn to or as if to tatters

a ragged dress

b

: wearing tattered clothes

a ragged child

3

: done in an uneven way

a ragged performance

raggedly adverb

raggedness noun