What does "ragged" mean?
simple past and past participle of rag
Ragged
/ˈɹæɡɪd/ adj, verb
adj, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: simple past and past participle of rag
- Grammar: ragged is listed as adj, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: all in, bad, badgered, baited.
- Useful contrasts: even, intact, neat.
- Usage evidence: A ragged coat may cover an honest man.
How to use "ragged"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ragged" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ragged" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "ragged" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "ragged" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ragged" is acting as adj, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "all in" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "ragged", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 simple past and past participle of rag form-of, participle, past
Adjective
- 1 In tatters, having the texture broken.
"a ragged coat"
- 2 Having rough edges; jagged or uneven
"ragged rocks"
- 3 Harsh-sounding; having an unpleasant noise
"There was a ragged noise of bleating from the flock penned in a corner of the yard. Two red-armed men seized a sheep, hauled it to a large bath that stood in the middle of the yard, and there held it, more or less in the bath, whilst a third man baled a dirty yellow liquid over its body."
- 4 Wearing tattered clothes.
"a ragged person"
- 5 Rough; shaggy; rugged.
"Seeking out the poorer quarters Where the ragged people go"
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Faulty; lacking in skill, reliability, or organization.
"Now I realize how ridiculous and almost impertinent it was to expect New Yorkers to accept such a ragged performance for they have always demanded the best and do not tolerate the second-rate.""
- 7 Performed in a syncopated manner, especially in ragtime.
- 8 Of a data structure: having uneven levels.
"a ragged hierarchy"
- 9 Not justified; having an uneven vertical margin.
"Newspaper columns should never be set ragged."
Adjective
- 1 having an irregular outline wordnet
- 2 worn out from stress or strain wordnet
- 3 being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"A ragged coat may cover an honest man."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ragged"?
Common synonyms include: all in, bad, badgered, baited, battered, beat up.
How do you use "ragged" in a sentence?
A ragged coat may cover an honest man.
How do you pronounce "ragged"?
Pronounced /ˈɹæɡɪd/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English ragged, from North Germanic. Compare with Old Norse rǫgvaðr (“tufted”) and Norwegian ragget (“shaggy”).
Etymology 2
From rag.