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
Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
The cookies are slightly undercooked, which might appeal to your tastes, but the most impressive items gently riff on French classics, so focus your attention there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for riff
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Noun
The ad features Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Jasmine Guy, Jaleel White, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ted Danson, all doing riffs on their past TV characters.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Professional judges from Edible Monterey Bay also awarded Best Use of Foraged Ingredients to Chef Pamela Burns of Wild Plum Café for her riff on steak and eggs, a sautee of king trumpets, enoki and porcini with cloves of garlic and soy emulsion over polenta.
—Laura Ness, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
Chef Patty Lee, an alum of Mission Chinese, riffs off of the Chinese dishes that Annie and her late sister Lei grew up with in Queens.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
The cookies are slightly undercooked, which might appeal to your tastes, but the most impressive items gently riff on French classics, so focus your attention there.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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