ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rag

n. · v.
US //ˈɹæɡ// UK //ɹˈæɡ// rag
  1. 1 cleaning cloth (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small piece of old, torn cloth used for cleaning or drying things.

    a fragment of cloth, typically discarded or repurposed for utilitarian tasks such as cleaning or polishing.

    Example

    He used an old rag to wipe the oil off his hands after fixing the bike.

    Example

    The mechanic kept a pile of oily rags in the corner of the garage to clean his tools after each repair.
  2. 2 tattered clothes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    old, torn, or dirty clothes.

    clothing that is torn, frayed, or in a state of extreme disrepair; often used in the plural.

    Example

    The lost hiker was found wearing nothing but rags after a week in the woods.

    Example

    The protagonist's journey from rags to riches is a classic theme in nineteenth-century literature.
    • tatters
    • hand me downs
    • finery
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 bad newspaper (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a newspaper or magazine that you think is low quality or dishonest.

    a derogatory term for a newspaper or periodical, implying poor journalistic standards or sensationalism.

    Example

    I don't know why you read that local rag; it's full of gossip and lies.

    Example

    The politician refused to grant an interview to the local rag, citing their history of biased reporting.
  2. 4 student charity event (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English

    a period of time when university students do funny or noisy things to collect money for charity.

    an organised series of events, often involving pranks or parades, conducted by university students to raise funds for charitable causes.

    Example

    The students dressed up as superheroes for the annual rag week parade.

    Example

    During the university rag, students occupied the town square to solicit donations for the local children's hospital.
    • fundraiser
  3. 5 to tease (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to tease someone or make fun of them in a playful or mean way.

    to subject someone to persistent teasing, mockery, or practical jokes.

    Example

    The older boys used to rag him about his glasses until he learned to ignore them.

    Example

    The senior officers would often rag the new recruits, though the practice was officially discouraged by the academy.
  4. 6 to drive hard (v.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Slang

    to drive a car very fast and roughly without caring if you damage it.

    to operate a vehicle at high speed or with excessive aggression, showing no regard for mechanical preservation.

    Example

    He really ragged that old van until the engine finally gave up.

    Example

    It was clear the previous owner had ragged the car on track days, given the state of the suspension and brakes.
Etymology 1

From Middle English ragge, from Old English ragg (suggested by derivative raggiġ (“shaggy; bristly; ragged”)), from Old Norse rǫgg (“tuft; shagginess”), from Proto-Germanic rawwa-, probably related to rūhaz. Cognate with Swedish ragg. Related to rug.

Etymology 2

Unknown origin; perhaps the same word as Etymology 1, above.

Etymology 3

Uncertain. Ideas about the scolding and tormenting senses being related to on the rag are only speculative.

Etymology 4

Perhaps from ragged. Compare later ragtime.

Word family
Idioms2 entries

© 2026 English Reference