riff

1 of 3

noun

ˈrif 

1

: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation

also : a piece based on such a phrase

2

: a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring

especially : one that is part of a comic performance

3

: a succinct usually witty comment

4

: a distinct variation : take

a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story

—Daria Donnelly

riff

2 of 3

verb (1)

riffed; riffing; riffs

intransitive verb

: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff

riff

3 of 3

verb (2)

riffed; riffing; riffs

: riffle, skim

riff pages

Synonyms

Noun

• interpretation
• variation
• version

Examples of riff in a Sentence

Noun

He stole that riff from another song.

a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Casillas developed a riff on cochinita pibil for Puesto, along with a celebratory Pistachio Tres Leches cake, and shared his recipes and techniques here. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025

Christoph Waltz, Renée Zellweger, and Logan Lerman step in as a trio of billionaires, meant to be riffs on the modern mogul. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025

Verb

André settles in for a minute, riffing with O’Brien about his own series, a parody of late-night talk shows, which had recently premièred on Adult Swim. —Chris Almeida, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025

For example, while experts use chatbots as collaboration tools—riffing on ideas, clarifying intuitions—novices often treat them mistakenly as automation tools, oracles that speak from a bottomless well of knowledge. —David Autor, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably by shortening & alteration from refrain

Verb (2)

short for riffle

First Known Use

Noun

1935, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1948, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for riff

• biff
• cliff
• diff
• glyph
• griff
• if
• schiff
• skiff
• sniff
• stiff
• tiff
• whiff