1
: an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation
also
: a piece based on such a phrase
2
: a rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring
especially
: one that is part of a comic performance
3
: a succinct usually witty comment
4
: a distinct variation : take
… a disturbing … riff on the Cinderella story.—
Daria Donnelly
Daria Donnelly
riffed; riffing; riffs
: to perform, deliver, or make use of a riff
Examples of riff in a Sentence
Noun
He stole that riff from another song.
a mock news program with humorous riffs on current events
Recent Examples on the Web
Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Scary Movie, the latest entry in the beloved horror parody franchise, is overloaded with riffs, digs, plays, and puns on modern cinema.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Bella Webb, Vogue, 11 June 2026
Scary Movie also riffs on Wicked, KPop Demon Hunters, and even John Wick, the graphic action franchise starring a broody Keanu Reeves.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
When done well, those moments can be as important to the world of an album as the riffs and blast beats.
—Brad Sanders, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Scary Movie, the latest entry in the beloved horror parody franchise, is overloaded with riffs, digs, plays, and puns on modern cinema.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 June 2026
Verb
Stella McCartney riffed on its signature Frayme bag with California material innovation startup Bolt Threads.
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 11 June 2026
Scary Movie also riffs on Wicked, KPop Demon Hunters, and even John Wick, the graphic action franchise starring a broody Keanu Reeves.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
Cite this Entry
“Riff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
