1
: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
also
: a piece based on such a phrase
2
: a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
especially
: one that is part of a comic performance
3
: a succinct usually witty comment
4
: a distinct variation : take
a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story—
Daria Donnelly
Daria Donnelly
riffed; riffing; riffs
: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
Synonyms
Examples of riff in a Sentence
Noun
He stole that riff from another song.
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Recent Examples on the WebKory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
Across two CDs stuffed with searing solos, massive riffs and crack shot drumming, Hood and his bandmates Mike Cooley, Earl Hicks, Rob Malone, and Brad Morgan unpacked the prickly realities of Southern living in all its fascinating and terrible contradictions.
—Corbin Reiff, SPIN, 25 June 2024
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024
Play the same track as other players, choose your own song part and difficulty, and riff your way to victory.
—Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for riff 
Noun
In just three minutes, Morello connects references to New Testament apostles and the Clash to Black History Month and a coming earthquake — all over a funky, heavy riff.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2024
Across two CDs stuffed with searing solos, massive riffs and crack shot drumming, Hood and his bandmates Mike Cooley, Earl Hicks, Rob Malone, and Brad Morgan unpacked the prickly realities of Southern living in all its fascinating and terrible contradictions.
—Corbin Reiff, SPIN, 25 June 2024
Verb
Although riffing on the archetype of the bad girl is pop tradition, the new insouciance has a distinctly mischievous bent.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 June 2024
Play the same track as other players, choose your own song part and difficulty, and riff your way to victory.
—Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for riff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'riff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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