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.

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 ordown ).

   to ratchet prices up;

   Interest rates have been ratcheting downward.

ratchet

²

Also ratched

[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. to increase or decrease, esp irreversibly

   electricity prices will ratchet up this year

   Hitchcock ratchets up the tension once again

Other Word Forms

• ratchetness 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

Shares took off because China threatened export restrictions on rare-earth minerals and lithium-ion batteries as trade tensions with the U.S. ratcheted higher.

Read more on Barron's

Then, later in the day explosions in Kabul and Kandahar ratcheted up tensions.

Read more on BBC

President Andry Rajoelina ratcheted up tensions in Madagascar Tuesday by dissolving the National Assembly to block a vote to force him out of office as thousands gathered for new protests calling for his resignation.

Read more on Barron's

The ministry said Washington had ratcheted up economic measures against Beijing since September.

Read more on Barron's

“He’s got to ratchet up his intensity and his toughness defensively.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disk 
• drum 
• roller 

When To Use

What else does ratchet mean?

Ratchet is a slang term that can mean "exciting" or "excellent," often used as a term of empowerment among women. Some may also use ratchet for when they are feeling "bad" in some way.The term has been previously used, however, as an insult characterizing a woman as being "overdramatic" or "promiscuous."