Definition

Noun: - People regarded as disreputable or worthless: A disparaging term referring to people considered to be of low social status, bad character, or little value. It implies a contemptuous view of a group as being the dregs or undesirable elements of society.

Usage

The word "riffraff" is used as a collective noun, typically with a singular verb, to refer to a group of people looked down upon. It is inherently negative and judgmental. - The exclusive club had a strict door policy to keep out the riffraff. - He believed the protest was just stirred up by the local riffraff.

Advanced Usage

• The riffraff: Often used with the definite article "the" to generalize and refer to such a group as a single entity.
  • The festival was ruined once the riffraff showed up and started causing trouble.

Variants and Related Words

• Riff-raff: An alternative hyphenated spelling of the same word.
• Rabble (noun): A disorderly crowd, a mob; often used similarly to express contempt for a common crowd.
• Hoi polloi (noun): (From Greek) The masses, the common people. While sometimes used neutrally, it can carry a similar disparaging tone as "riffraff."

Synonyms

• Rabble
• The masses (often disparaging)
• The great unwashed (idiomatic and disparaging)
• Plebeians (historical, but can be used disparagingly)
• Scum (stronger, more offensive)

Antonyms

• Elite
• Aristocracy
• Gentry
• Upper crust (idiomatic)

Idioms and Phrases

• To keep the riffraff out: To prevent undesirable people from entering a place or group.
  • The high membership fee is just a way to keep the riffraff out.

Noun

1. disparaging terms for the common people