raffle

¹ American  

[raf-uhl] / ˈræf əl /

noun

1. a form of lottery in which a number of persons buy one or more chances to win a prize.

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verb (used with object)

raffled, raffling

1. to dispose of by a raffle (often followed byoff ).

   to raffle off a watch.

verb (used without object)

raffled, raffling

1. to take part in a raffle.

raffle ² American  

[raf-uhl] / ˈræf əl /

noun

1. rubbish.

2. Nautical. a tangle, as of ropes, canvas, etc.

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raffle British  

/ ˈræfəl /

noun

1. 1. a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money

   2. ( as modifier )

      a raffle ticket

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verb

1. to dispose of (goods) in a raffle

Other Word Forms

• raffler noun
• unraffled adjective

Etymology

Origin of raffle¹

1350–1400; Middle English rafle dice game < Middle French, derivative of rafler to snatch; raff

Origin of raffle²

First recorded in 1790–1800; raff + -le

Example Sentences

His round is six days a week and when he's finished today, he'll head to a local slimmers' club to help set up the tables and call the raffle.

From BBC

A Grade I listed church has raised £22,300 towards a new heating system by raffling off a Maggi Hambling painting.

From BBC

A Blooms Bounty box of vegetables which was raffled off.

From Los Angeles Times

“Nobody’s going to buy your band’s candy or raffle tickets or whatever it is you’re trying to sell there,” she said.

From Literature

"Citizen loans, appeals for donations, corporate sponsorship, or any other 'raffle' scheme -- this is now what part of the funding for our public hospitals boils down to."

From Barron's

Related Words

• betting
• game of chance
• sweepstake