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
Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
The riff sounded like the feeling, the riff.
—Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Rich Table’s palate is expansive, if intentionally undefined, with dishes that riff on French, Italian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese cooking.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
Sonically, the track (produced and composed by Gavilan) is a melancholic grassroots folk song accompanied by weeping guitar riffs and a heart-pounding cajón.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
The riff sounded like the feeling, the riff.
—Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Meyers let Fleming riff for a crazy-long section of his couch time.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Rich Table’s palate is expansive, if intentionally undefined, with dishes that riff on French, Italian, Korean, Japanese and Chinese cooking.
—Cesar Hernandez, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 2026.
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