riffle

1 of 2

verb

rif·​fle ˈri-fəl 

riffled; riffling ˈri-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to form, flow over, or move in riffles

2

: to flip cursorily : thumb

riffle through the catalog

transitive verb

1

: to ruffle slightly : ripple

2

a

: to leaf through hastily

specifically : to leaf by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves

riffle a stack of paper

b

: to shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix

3

: to manipulate (small objects) idly between the fingers

riffle

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a shallow extending across a streambed and causing broken water

b

: a stretch of water flowing over a riffle

2

: a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple

3

a

: any of various contrivances (such as blocks or rails) laid on the bottom of a sluice or launder to make a series of grooves or interstices to catch and retain a mineral (such as gold)

b

: a groove or interstice so formed

4

: a cleat or bar fastened to an inclined surface in a gold-washing apparatus to catch and hold mineral grains

5

[riffle entry 1]

a

: the act or process of shuffling something (such as a deck of cards)

b

: the sound made while doing this

Synonyms

Verb

• flip
• leaf
• skim
• thumb

Examples of riffle in a Sentence

Verb

He riffled the pages of the magazine.

Web research is convenient but doesn't offer the tactile pleasures of riffling through heavy old books.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The most important one to hit the twine behind him, Anze Kopitar’s overtime winner in a 5-4 loss in Game 2 which tied the first-round series with the Los Angeles Kings, was riffled over his glove. —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 25 Apr. 2024

Palm fronds riffled in the hot breeze as the sky darkened and the air smelled, mysteriously, of salad dressing. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024

Noun

On the water, target current breaks, pools, and deep riffles where trout will wait and ambush their food. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 12 June 2024

Sandbars and rock bars and gravel bars could be broken down into a full taxonomy describing their size and shape and orientation: chains and traps, riffles and reefs. —Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

perhaps alteration of ruffle

First Known Use

Verb

1754, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing riffle

• riffle through

Kids Definition

riffle

1 of 2 verb

rif·​fle ˈrif-əl 

riffled; riffling ˈrif-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to form, flow over, or move in riffles

2

: to ruffle slightly : ripple

3

a

: to flip or leaf through in a hurry

b

: to shuffle playing cards by separating the deck into two parts and sliding the thumbs along the edges so that the cards are mixed

riffle

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a shallow extending across a stream bed and causing broken water

b

: a stretch of water flowing over a riffle

2

: a small wave or succession of small waves : ripple

3

: the act or process of shuffling (as cards)