riff1

[rif] /rɪf/
noun
1.
a melodic phrase, often constantly repeated, forming an accompaniment or part of an accompaniment for a soloist.
verb (used without object)
2.
to perform riffs.
Origin
1930-35; perhaps alteration and shortening of refrain2

riff2

[rif] /rɪf/
verb (used with object), Informal.
1.
rif.

Riff

[rif] /rɪf/
noun, plural Riffs, Riffi
[rif-ee] /ˈrɪf i/ (Show IPA). (especially collectively) Riff.
1.
a member of the Berber people living in Er Rif in northern Morocco.
2.
Rif.
Related forms
Riffian, adjective, noun
British Dictionary definitions for riff

Rif

/rɪf/
noun
1.
(pl) Rifs, Riffs, Rifis, Rif, Riff, Rifi. a member of a Berber people, inhabiting the Atlas Mountains in Morocco
2.
Also called Rifian, Riffian (ˈrɪfɪən). the dialect of Berber spoken by this people
3.
See Er Rif

riff

/rɪf/
noun
1.
(in jazz or rock music) a short series of chords
verb
2.
(intransitive) to play or perform riffs in jazz or rock music
3.
(informal) to speak amusingly or make (amusing comments or remarks)
Word Origin
C20: probably altered and shortened from refrain²
Word Origin and History for riff
n.

"melodic phrase in jazz," 1935 (but said to have been used by musicians since c.1917), of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortened form of riffle, or altered from refrain. The verb is attested from 1942, from the noun. Also in extended use. Related: Riffed; riffing.

Slang definitions & phrases for riff

riff 1

noun
  1. An improvised passage, esp a solo; break, lick: an initially funky bass riff (1917+ Jazz musicians)
  2. A solo passage of any sort: He never inflates a movement, never accelerates into showy riffs of excess energy (1917+ Jazz musicians)
  3. A particular variation or version: I have actually eaten something called a pastrami burrito dog, sort of a riff on the oki dog (1990s+)
  4. A piece of personal behavior, esp of entertainment; shtick: allow the star to do character riffs that approximate the sort of things she does as monologues in her one-woman show/ He can make out the riffs and scams of the inner city like a dog picking up a scent (1980s+)

[origin unknown; perhaps echoic; perhaps fr refrain; perhaps fr riffle or ripple in the sense of ''try, shot, crack'']


riff 2

noun

A refrigerator car; reefer1 (1950s+ Railroad)


riff in Technology

file format
Microsoft's equivalent to the Amiga's IFF files format. RIFF is used for WAV and AVI files.
(1995-04-21)