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 WebJill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
Heritage labels like Minnetonka and Ugg will always be a smart pick, as will luxury riffs from designers like Brunello Cucinelli, who rendered his pair this season in genuine shearling set on a pebbled sole.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024
Joe Sills, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Related Articles Dressed in black, actor Cole Sprouse and his girlfriend, model Ari Fournier, riffed on Disney’s darker side.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for riff 
Noun
Dupieux pays homage to Dalí’s artistic genius, his idiosyncrasies, and his supreme ego in an offbeat, absurdist riff that sees a French journalist (Anaïs Demoustier) repeatedly meeting the artist to begin an interview for a documentary film project that never starts shooting.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
Heritage labels like Minnetonka and Ugg will always be a smart pick, as will luxury riffs from designers like Brunello Cucinelli, who rendered his pair this season in genuine shearling set on a pebbled sole.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
Almost immediately, Armstrong, drummer Tré Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt relentlessly riff back into the song.
—Joe Sills, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Related Articles Dressed in black, actor Cole Sprouse and his girlfriend, model Ari Fournier, riffed on Disney’s darker side.
—Violet Goldstone, WWD, 2 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share