Riffraff

/ˈrɪf.ræf/

Meaning & Definition

noun

People regarded as disreputable or worthless; the lower classes.

The socialite refused to associate with what she considered to be the riffraff of the city.

A group of people considered to be undesirable or unrefined.

The town meeting was filled with riffraff who didn't seem to care about the issues at hand.

Those who are low in social status; the common people.

His disdain for the riffraff was evident in the way he spoke about them.

Trash or refuse; worthless material.

After the festival, the streets were littered with riffraff that needed to be cleaned up.

Originally from Middle English 'rif' (to take) and 'raff' (scraps), indicating worthless people.

the riffraff

a disparaging term for people regarded as inferior or disreputable.

no place for riffraff

a saying indicating that certain areas or events are exclusive and do not accept undesirable individuals.

lowlife

a person who is considered morally low or socially unrespectable.

outcast

a person who has been rejected by a social group.

misfit

a person whose behavior or attitude sets them apart from others.

Trashy people or behavior.

They were just a bunch of riffraff causing trouble at the beach.

People considered unsophisticated or unrefined.

I don’t want to hang out with that riffraff from the other side of town.