ragged Definition

rag¹
noun

1. A worn, torn or waste scrap of cloth.
2. A shred, scrap or tiny portion of something.
3. Old or tattered clothing.

Example: dressed in rags
Form: rags (usually)
4. jocular
A flag, handkerchief or garment.
5. derog, colloq
A newspaper.
Example: the local rag
6a. ragtime;
6b. A piece of ragtime music.

verb ragged, ragging

1a. To tear to rags;
1b. To make ragged¹.
2. To perform (a piece of music or a dance) in ragtime.
intr
3. Said of clothing, a piece of cloth, etc: to become ragged; to fray.

Derivative: raggy
adj

Idiom: from rags to riches

From poverty to wealth.

Idiom: lose one's rag

slang
To lose one's temper.

Etymology: 14c: from Anglo-Saxon raggig shaggy.

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rag²
verb ragged, ragging

(especially Brit)
1. To tease; to play rough tricks on someone.
2. To scold.

Thesaurus: nag, scold, upbraid, castigate.

noun

(Brit)
1. A series of stunts and events put on by university or college students to raise money for charity. Also as adj.

Example: rag week

Derivative: ragging
noun

Derivative: raggy
adj

slang
Irritated.

Etymology: 18c.

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ragged¹
adj

1. Said of clothes: old, worn and tattered.

Thesaurus: tattered, frayed, ripped, rent, shabby, unkempt, threadbare, worn out.
2. Said of a person: dressed in old, worn, tattered clothing.
3. With a rough and irregular edge; jagged.
4. Untidy; straggly.
5. Said of a performance or ability: uneven; not of consistent quality.

Derivative: raggedly
adverb

Derivative: raggedness
noun

Derivative: raggedy
adj

Uneven in quality.

Etymology: 13c: probably from rag¹.

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ragged² past tense, past participle of rag¹, rag²