Word
ragged
/ˈɹæɡəd/
Definition
adj. describing something that is torn, rough, or has uneven edges. You often use it for old clothes or someone who looks very tired and messy.
adj. having a rough, irregular, or uneven surface or edge; often describes cloth that is torn or frayed. When applied to people, it suggests a state of exhaustion or a neglected appearance.
Examples
“He wore a ragged old coat with holes in the sleeves.”
“The hikers looked ragged after spending three days lost in the woods without proper supplies.”
“The coastline was defined by ragged cliffs that dropped sharply into the churning Atlantic, their edges worn down by centuries of relentless salt spray and wind.”
Examples
simple
“He wore a ragged old coat with holes in the sleeves.”
contextual
“The hikers looked ragged after spending three days lost in the woods without proper supplies.”
complex
“The coastline was defined by ragged cliffs that dropped sharply into the churning Atlantic, their edges worn down by centuries of relentless salt spray and wind.”
Usage
Often used attributively before a noun; can be used figuratively to describe breathing or edges of an object.
Real-World Examples
“The sweat and ragged breath are important, he explains.” Etymology
From Middle English ragged, from North Germanic. Compare with Old Norse rǫgvaðr (“tufted”) and Norwegian ragget (“shaggy”).
From rag.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
Domains
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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