Word
chaff
US/ˈtʃæf/
UK/tʃˈæf/
Definitions
01grain husks
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Technical
n. the dry outer parts of grain that are removed before the grain is eaten.
n. the husks of corn or other seed separated by winnowing or threshing.
“The wind blew the light chaff away while the heavy grain fell to the ground.”
“Traditional winnowing techniques rely on the wind to separate the lighter chaff from the denser, edible kernels of wheat.”
Usage
Uncountable in this sense.
02worthless things
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary
n. something that is worthless or not important compared to the good parts.
n. worthless matter; the trivial or useless parts of something otherwise valuable.
“A good editor helps you separate the wheat from the chaff in your writing.”
“The critic's job is to sift through the seasonal releases and separate the artistic wheat from the commercial chaff.”
Usage
Commonly used in the idiom 'separate the wheat from the chaff'.
Antonyms
03radar interference
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Military Technical
n. strips of metal dropped by planes to confuse enemy radar.
n. strips of metal foil or glass fibre dropped from an aircraft to create false echoes on radar screens.
“The pilot deployed chaff to hide the jet from the tracking system.”
“Modern electronic warfare suites automatically deploy chaff and flares when a missile lock is detected by the aircraft's sensors.”
Synonyms
04light banter
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary · Archaic
n. friendly, joking talk or teasing.
n. light, good-natured ridicule or teasing; banter.
“The two old friends enjoyed a bit of harmless chaff over dinner.”
“Their conversation was filled with the easy chaff of people who had known each other since childhood.”
05to tease
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
v. to tease someone in a friendly way.
v. to mock or tease in a good-natured manner.
“They chaffed him about his new hat until he finally took it off.”
“The soldiers chaffed their comrade about his supposed romantic conquests during their long march back to camp.”
Usage
Usually takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“If the beans look mottled or have significant silver-skin (chaff) still attached, it’s a sign of a "heavy" natural process that will produce a very fermented, funky cup.” “Chaff is a radar countermeasure typically used by military branches in training exercises around the United States.” “Chaff is a radar countermeasure commonly released from aircraft across the United States and is comprised of individual metallic strands designed to reflect certain wavelengths.” “Ventilation and chaff management become more important as the beans release more smoke and oils.” Etymology
From Middle English chaf, from Old English ċeaf, from Proto-West Germanic *kaf. Cognate with Scots caff, Saterland Frisian Sääf, West Frisian tsjêf, Dutch kaf, German Low German Kaff, regional German Kaff.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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