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
Daria Donnelly
riffed; riffing; riffs
: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
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
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
His ability to riff with you in the moment and give you different [takes] is incredible.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
An extended riff on the leg-lengthening surgery from Materialists, of course.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2026
Over six feet tall and skinny, with a mass of reddish curls, Fleming leaps and bounds across stage while delivering riffs on the bitmoji skills of baby boomers, ballads dedicated to deceased chain craft store Joann’s Fabrics, and Celine Dion’s gamer sons.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Ever since 1997’s Scream 2 opened with a movie theater playing a re-creation of the first film’s opening scene, the franchise has been riffing on itself — while also, in the best installments, offering some bigger-picture reflection on the horror genre or the culture at large.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
His ability to riff with you in the moment and give you different [takes] is incredible.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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