Meaning & Definition of Rag in English
English⟶
Rag
/ræg/
noun
1. A small piece of cloth or paper
synonym:
- rag,
- shred,
- tag,
- tag end,
- tatter
2. A week at british universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities
synonym:
- rag,
- rag week
3. Music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
synonym:
- ragtime,
- rag
4. Newspaper with half-size pages
synonym:
- tabloid,
- rag,
- sheet
5. A boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
synonym:
- rag
verb
1. Treat cruelly
- "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
synonym:
- torment,
- rag,
- bedevil,
- crucify,
- dun,
- frustrate
2. Cause annoyance in
- Disturb, especially by minor irritations
- "Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me"
- "It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves"
synonym:
- annoy,
- rag,
- get to,
- bother,
- get at,
- irritate,
- rile,
- nark,
- nettle,
- gravel,
- vex,
- chafe,
- devil
3. Play in ragtime
- "Rag that old tune"
synonym:
- rag
4. Harass with persistent criticism or carping
- "The children teased the new teacher"
- "Don't ride me so hard over my failure"
- "His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie"
synonym:
- tease,
- razz,
- rag,
- cod,
- tantalize,
- tantalise,
- bait,
- taunt,
- twit,
- rally,
- ride
5. Censure severely or angrily
- "The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car"
- "The deputy ragged the prime minister"
- "The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup"
synonym:
- call on the carpet,
- take to task,
- rebuke,
- rag,
- trounce,
- reproof,
- lecture,
- reprimand,
- jaw,
- dress down,
- call down,
- scold,
- chide,
- berate,
- bawl out,
- remonstrate,
- chew out,
- chew up,
- have words,
- lambaste,
- lambast
6. Break into lumps before sorting
- "Rag ore"
synonym:
- rag
Examples of using
Tom cleaned the top of the table with a wet rag.
Don't talk to him about politics because it's like a red rag to a bull.