: the fiber of the raffia palm used especially as cord for tying and weaving

Examples of raffia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Denim, launched four years ago, offers a fashion-forward, more casual take on the brand, while handbags, including the Charlotte, Lily, Paloma and raffia styles, are the fastest-growing category. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Pair it with thin flip-flops and a raffia bag for the perfect beachy look. Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026 Dress the part and embrace the ease of the season by pairing your Birkenstocks with a dainty mini dress, raffia sunhat, and other warm-weather accessories. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 Shop for breezy sundresses, cute beach coverups, bikinis, and raffia platforms at AshleGryre, a fashion-forward women’s boutique right across from Dune House in Atlantic Beach. Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raffia

Word History

Etymology

Malagasy rafia

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raffia was in 1850

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raffia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raffia. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

: fiber from a palm of Madagascar and Africa used as a cord for weaving various articles (as baskets or hats) and for tying
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