Music A short rhythmic phrase, especially one that is repeated in improvisation.
A clever or inventive commentary or remark: "Those little riffs that had seemed to have such sparkle over drinks ... look all too embarrassing in cold print"(John Richardson).
intr.v.
riffed, riff·ing, riffs To play or make riffs.
[Origin unknown.]
Riff or Rif (rĭf) n.
pl.Riff or Riffs or Rif or Rifs also Rif·fi (rĭf'ē)
A member of any of several Berber peoples inhabiting Er Rif.
tv. to dismiss an employee. (From the euphemism reduction in force.) : They're going to rif John tomorrow.
n. a firing; a dismissal. : There's a rif in your future.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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riff
n. a short, repeated line of music played by a particular performer. : Jim just sat there and forgot his riff.
n. a digression while speaking. (From sense 1.) : If she didn't make so many riffs while she spoke, we could understand her better.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
riff
"melodic phrase in jazz," 1935 (but said to have been used by musicians since c.1917), of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortened form of riffle (q.v.), or altered from refrain. The verb is attested from 1955.