ratchet

¹

[ rach-it ]

noun

1. a toothed bar with which a pawl engages.
2. (not in technical use) a pawl or the like used with a ratchet or ratchet wheel.
3. a mechanism consisting of such a bar or wheel with the pawl.
4. ratchet wheel ( def ).
5. a steady progression up or down:

   the upward ratchet of oil prices.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to move by degrees (often followed by up or down ):

   to ratchet prices up;

   Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.

ratchet

²

[ rach-it ]

adjective

, Slang.

1. flashy, unrefined, etc.; low-class:

   ratchet girls wearing too much makeup.

2. exhibiting or affirming low-class traits in a way that is considered authentic:

   Better to stay a ratchet bitch than become a bougie poser like her.

3. extremely good; awesome.

ratchet

/ ˈrætʃɪt /

noun

1. a device in which a toothed rack or wheel is engaged by a pawl to permit motion in one direction only
2. the toothed rack or wheel forming part of such a device

verb

1. to operate using a ratchet
2. usually foll byup or down to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly

   electricity prices will ratchet up this year

   Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again

Other Words From

• ratch·et·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratchet¹

First recorded in 1650–60; alteration of French rochet; Middle French rocquet “a blunt lance-head,” from Germanic; compare Old High German rocko, roccho “distaff”

Origin of ratchet²

First recorded in 1990–95; from a dance and genre of hip-hop music originating in Shreveport, Louisiana

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratchet¹

C17: from French rochet , from Old French rocquet blunt head of a lance, of Germanic origin: compare Old High German rocko distaff

Example Sentences

Such garden variety mishaps are common, and not expected to derail California’s election process, even as heated rhetoric and attempts to interfere with vote certification ratchet up across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

The company plans to significantly ratchet up its production capabilities next year, making it able to fill whatever orders it receives, Hull said, adding that Miso is aiming to be profitable by the end of 2026.

From Los Angeles Times

With the election less than a month away, claims about noncitizen voting have continued to ratchet up despite numerous elections experts saying such instances are very rare.

From Salon

The play contains a twist that wild horses couldn’t drag out of me, but how convinced you’ll be depends on your willingness to succumb to a plot that has been carefully programmed to ratchet up the dramatic tension.

From Los Angeles Times

But Israel refused to link the two conflicts, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to accept a cease-fire on both fronts, vowing just Friday at the United Nations to ratchet up the fight against Hezbollah.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disk
• drum
• roller