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
Synonyms
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 WebJosh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024
Guests can enjoy spinach-and-artichoke dip, crudos, Caesar salad, a wagyu pastrami Reuben starter and playful interpretations like a five-cheese riff on Totino’s pizza rolls and disco steak frites (Allen Brothers skirt steak and hand-cut fries topped with au poivre and peppercorn aioli).
—Andy Wang, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Violet Goldstone, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024
Strobe lights accentuated the groove as Leavell leapt off his seat to riff on the keys and the younger Betts nailed the guitar solos on his gold Gibson.
—Kristi York Wooten, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for riff 
Noun
Their long hair, blues riffs, and Southern drawls have drawn consistent comparisons to Blackberry Smoke, but the band has a broader base in mind.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2024
Guests can enjoy spinach-and-artichoke dip, crudos, Caesar salad, a wagyu pastrami Reuben starter and playful interpretations like a five-cheese riff on Totino’s pizza rolls and disco steak frites (Allen Brothers skirt steak and hand-cut fries topped with au poivre and peppercorn aioli).
—Andy Wang, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Verb
Since his inaugural collection, Dunhill’s creative director Simon Holloway has riffed on British art to inspire his work, his first runway staged in the National Portrait Gallery’s Duveen Wing.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024
Strobe lights accentuated the groove as Leavell leapt off his seat to riff on the keys and the younger Betts nailed the guitar solos on his gold Gibson.
—Kristi York Wooten, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for riff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.
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