Definition of "rag" in English

noun

1. (especially in the plural) Tattered clothes (clothing).

   • —What a pretty dress! —What, this old rag?
   • It's semiformal. I can't show up dressed in rags!
   • rags to riches

2. A piece of old cloth, especially one used for cleaning, patching, etc.; a tattered piece of cloth; a shred or tatter.

3. (derogatory) A shabby, beggarly person; synonym of ragamuffin.

4. A ragged edge in metalworking.

5. (nautical, slang) A sail, or any piece of canvas.

6. (singular or plural, slang) Sanitary napkins, pads, or other materials used to absorb menstrual discharge.

7. (slang, derogatory) A newspaper or magazine, especially one whose journalism is considered to be of poor quality.

8. (poker) A poor, low-ranking kicker.

   • I have ace-four on my hand. In other words, I have ace-rag.

9. (slang, theater) A curtain of various kinds.

10. (dated) A person suffering from exhaustion or lack of energy.

11. (slang, obsolete) A banknote.

12. (typography) An uneven vertical margin (of a block of type).

    • We always leave rag on article typeset for the web.

verb

1. (transitive) To decorate (a wall, etc.) by applying paint with a rag.

2. (intransitive) To become tattered.

3. (intransitive, vulgar, slang, sometimes euphemistic) To menstruate.

noun

1. A coarse kind of rock, somewhat cellular in texture; ragstone.

verb

1. To break (ore) into lumps for sorting.

2. To cut or dress roughly, as a grindstone.

   • Near-synonym: rough

verb

1. To scold or tell off; to torment; to banter.

2. (British slang) To drive a car or another vehicle in a hard, fast or unsympathetic manner.

3. To tease or torment, especially at a university; to bully, to haze.

noun

1. (dated) A prank or practical joke.

2. (UK, Ireland) A society run by university students for the purpose of charitable fundraising.

noun

1. (obsolete, US) An informal dance party featuring music played by African-American string bands.