Definition

Adjective: 1. Having an irregular, uneven, or jagged outline or edge: Describing something that is not smooth, straight, or uniform in its shape or border. 2. Worn out into rags; tattered: Describing clothes or fabric that are torn, frayed, and in poor condition. 3. Worn out from stress or strain; exhausted: Describing a person who is extremely tired, often due to overwork or anxiety. 4. Lacking uniformity, smoothness, or regularity; imperfect or disjointed: Describing something, like a performance or sound, that is uneven, inconsistent, or fragmented.

Examples of Usage

• Irregular outline:
  • The old flag was ragged along its edges.
  • She prefers books with ragged right margins instead of justified text.
• Tattered clothing:
  • The beggar was dressed in ragged clothes.
  • He wore a ragged old coat that was too thin for the winter.
• Exhausted person:
  • After working three double shifts, she looked completely ragged.
  • The constant demands of the project have run the team ragged.
• Uneven performance:
  • The band gave a ragged performance, missing several cues.
  • The first rehearsal was ragged, but it improved with practice.

Advanced Usage

• "run ragged": To exhaust or overwork someone severely.
  • The new manager is running his staff ragged with impossible deadlines.
• "ragged edge": The very limit, especially of tolerance or capability. Can imply a state of high tension or risk.
  • The stressful week had her nerves on the ragged edge.

Variants and Related Words

• Rag (n): A small piece of old cloth, typically one that is torn or worn.
• Raggedly (adv): In a ragged manner.
  • The fabric hung raggedly from the frame.
• Raggedness (n): The state or quality of being ragged.
  • The raggedness of his appearance made him stand out.

Synonyms

• Tattered: Torn and in shreds (specifically for cloth).
• Frayed: Worn and unravelled at the edge.
• Jagged: Having sharp, uneven points or edges.
• Uneven: Not level, smooth, or regular.
• Exhausted: Drained of strength or energy.

Antonyms

• Smooth
• Even
• Uniform
• Pristine
• Rested

Related Phrases

• Ragged right/left: In typography, text alignment where one side of the paragraph has an uneven edge.
  • This document uses a ragged right alignment for a more informal look.

Adjective

1. having an irregular outline
   • text set with ragged right margins
   • herded the class into a ragged line
2. worn out from stress or strain
   • run ragged
3. being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
   • clothes as ragged as a scarecrow's
   • a ragged tramp