raffle

1 of 3

verb

raf·​fle ˈra-fəl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈra-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)
Synonyms of rafflenext

intransitive verb

: to engage in a raffle

transitive verb

: to dispose of by means of a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 3

noun (1)

: a lottery in which the prize is won by one of numerous persons buying chances

raffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: rubbish
especially : a jumble or tangle of nautical equipment

Synonyms of raffle

Relevance

Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of raffle in a Sentence

Noun (2) the front lawn was littered with the raffle that the roofers had left behind
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Other community vendors will have items for sale and organizers will raffle various prizes to festival attendees, according to an online event listing. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Festivities will keep going throughout the day, and prizes will be raffled off every hour, including three $500 Winn-Dixie gift cards, a YETI cooler, a Masterbuilt 710 Wi-Fi Digital Electric Smoker and a Blackstone grill. — C. A. Bridges, Florida Times-Union, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Through a randomized process, the Mackinac Bridge Authority proivides tower tour certificates to 25 nonprofit organizations, and each organization recipient then raffles or auctions off the certificates, according to the MBA's website. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Roulette, slots, wagers, lotteries, raffles, lucky spins and prize wheels are all prohibited. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raffle

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English rafle, a dice game, from Middle French, dice game in which all the stakes can be won in a throw, literally, rake for a fire, from Middle High German raffel rake for a fire, from raffen to snatch, gather

Noun (2)

probably from French rafle act of snatching, sweeping, from Middle French, rake for a fire

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1680, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1709, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1543, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of raffle was in 1543

Rhymes for raffle

See All Rhymes for raffle

Browse Nearby Words

raffish
raffle
rafflesia
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raffle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

raffle

1 of 2 verb
raf·​fle ˈraf-əl How to pronounce raffle (audio)
raffled; raffling ˈraf-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce raffle (audio)
: to dispose of by a raffle
raffle off a turkey

raffle

2 of 2 noun
: the sale of chances for a prize whose winner is the one whose ticket is picked at a drawing
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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