What does "riffle" mean?
A swift, shallow part of a stream causing broken water.
Riffle
/ˈɹɪfəl/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A swift, shallow part of a stream causing broken water.
- Grammar: riffle is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: ball up, billow, bollix up, bore.
- Useful contrasts: calm, calm water, pool.
- Usage evidence: They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies
How to use "riffle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "riffle" 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 "riffle" 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 "riffle" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "riffle" 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 "riffle" is acting as name, noun, 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 "ball up" 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 "riffle", 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
Noun
- 1 A swift, shallow part of a stream causing broken water.
"They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies"
- 2 In seal engraving, a small metal disc at the end of a tool.
- 3 shuffling by splitting the pack and interweaving the two halves at their corners wordnet
- 4 A succession of small waves.
- 5 a small wave on the surface of a liquid wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A trough or sluice having cleats, grooves, or steps across the bottom for holding quicksilver and catching particles of gold when auriferous earth is washed. Also one of the cleats, grooves or steps in such trough.
- 7 A quick skim through the pages of a book.
- 8 Synonym of riffle shuffle
- 9 The sound made while shuffling cards.
Verb
- 1 To flow over a swift, shallow part of a stream. intransitive
- 2 shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix wordnet
- 3 To ruffle with a rippling action. transitive
- 4 twitch or flutter wordnet
- 5 To skim or flick through the pages of a book. intransitive
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 stir up (water) so as to form ripples wordnet
- 7 To leaf through rapidly. transitive
"Near-synonym: rifle"
- 8 look through a book or other written material wordnet
- 9 To shuffle playing cards by separating the deck in two and sliding the thumbs along the edges of the cards to mix the two parts. transitive
- 10 To idly manipulate objects with the fingers. transitive
- 11 To prepare samples of material using a riffler. transitive
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "riffle"?
Common synonyms include: ball up, billow, bollix up, bore, breaker, breakers.
How do you use "riffle" in a sentence?
They then proceeded below the milldam, where there was a strong riffle, with likely looking pools and eddies
How do you pronounce "riffle"?
Pronounced /ˈɹɪfəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Possible alteration of ruffle, from Middle English ruffelen, akin to Low German ruffelen (“to crumple”).
Etymology 2
From Danish [Term?] (“a groove”). Compare rifle (“to score, to make grooves”) and the past participle riflet (“scored, grooved, rifled”), riffeln with the same meaning. Also see rifle (“a rifled gun”).