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
Cassidy Sollazzo,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
19 June 2026
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Horror veteran Ti West (MaXXXine) helmed the flashback episode about the island’s history while Andrew DeYoung (Friendship, The Chair Company) riffed on the comedic chapter where Tom accidentally takes psychedelic mushrooms.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
Those themes are compelling on paper, but they’re expressed through a confusing mix of abstraction and hyper-local specificity, hidden beneath biker rock riffs, and obscured through Allbrook’s wiry, wailing vocal delivery.
—
Cassidy Sollazzo,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
19 June 2026
Verb
On the car ride to the casino, Sarris is riffing on his friendship with Grateful Dead member Mickey Hart, who bought Sarris a quarter horse as a gift.
—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
Horror veteran Ti West (MaXXXine) helmed the flashback episode about the island’s history while Andrew DeYoung (Friendship, The Chair Company) riffed on the comedic chapter where Tom accidentally takes psychedelic mushrooms.
—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 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 25 Jun. 2026.
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