raffles

¹ American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

(often initial capital letter)

1. a gentlemanly burglar, amateur housebreaker, or the like.

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Raffles ² American  

[raf-uhlz] / ˈræf əlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford, 1781–1826, English colonial administrator in the East Indies.

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Raffles British  

/ ˈræfəlz /

noun

1. Sir Thomas Stamford . 1781–1826, British colonial administrator: founded Singapore (1819) as a station for the British East India Company

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Etymology

Origin of raffles

1925–30; after Raffles, hero of The Amateur Cracksman, by E. W. Hornung (1866–1921), English novelist

Example Sentences

"I don't see this becoming a trend," he said, adding house raffles were not something he had thought about when first setting up his company.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

Lohman-Janz created enamel pins and hosts raffles to encourage members to keep coming out.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

They have held auctions, organized raffles and invited influencers to participate in promotional clips.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2024

There will also be raffles with “one-of-a-kind” prizes, including the chance to throw out a first pitch on opening day.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

Aureliano Segundo was so busy trying to maintain the prestige of his raffles that he barely had time to see the children.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez