plural riffs
1
music
: a short and usually repeated pattern of notes in a song
a guitar riff
He stole that riff from another song.
2
US, informal
: a short set of comments on a particular subject
—often + on
a comedian's riff on modern love
riffs; riffed; riffing
1
music
: to play a riff
The guitarist riffed over the bass line.
2
US, informal
: to talk about a particular subject in usually a quick and lively way : to deliver a riff on or about a particular subject
He riffed on/about how great the economy was doing.
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/riff. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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