ragamuffin

noun

rag·a·muf·fin ˈra-gə-ˌmə-fən How to pronounce ragamuffin (audio)

: a ragged often disreputable person

especially : a poorly clothed often dirty child

Did you know?

If you've guessed that rag or ragged is related to ragamuffin, you may be correct, but the origins of the word are somewhat murky. In Middle English, ragamuffin functioned both as a surname and generically to denote a ragged (and sometimes stupid) person, and in the Middle English alliterative poem Piers Plowman William Langland used the word to serve as the name of a demon. The muffin part of ragamuffin may have its origin in either of two Anglo-Norman words for a devil or scoundrel, but that too is uncertain. No matter its muddied history—the word has continued to develop in modern times. It can also refer to a type of music with rap lyrics and a reggae beat.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The baby was plump, and came to be called Tumpy (for Humpty Dumpty), a moniker that persisted well after poverty had thinned her into a ragamuffin.

Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 At least as the wryly morose Shakespeare, a ragamuffin-ish Nolte makes this journey occasionally captivating and lively — if not, ultimately, one worth seeing through to the end.

Nick Schager, Variety, 21 Dec. 2021 For the occasion, Wayne ditched his usual ragamuffin chic attire in favor of an understated gray turtleneck and dark, baggy sweater with red trim.

Keith Spera, NOLA.com, 21 Jan. 2021 This world teems with joyous Lower East Side ragamuffins, outfitted by costume designer Carol Sorensen.

Hugh Hunter, Philly.com, 14 May 2018 Baker’s new exploitation mode includes lurid, nursery-school pastels and ragamuffin kids who curse, vandalize, and set fires.

Armond White, National Review, 6 Oct. 2017 And Derek Klena as cavalier hunk and all-around ragamuffin Dmitry.

Diana Bruk, Seventeen, 30 Aug. 2016 While still in his teens, Pacino became one of the ragamuffins loitering outside the HB Studio on Bank Street in Greenwich Village, waiting for acting class to start.

Jimmy Breslin, Esquire, 20 Mar. 2017 See More

单词	ragamuffin
释义	ragamuffin noun rag·a·muf·fin ˈra-gə-ˌmə-fən : a ragged often disreputable person especially : a poorly clothed often dirty child Did you know? If you've guessed that rag or ragged is related to ragamuffin, you may be correct, but the origins of the word are somewhat murky. In Middle English, ragamuffin functioned both as a surname and generically to denote a ragged (and sometimes stupid) person, and in the Middle English alliterative poem Piers Plowman William Langland used the word to serve as the name of a demon. The muffin part of ragamuffin may have its origin in either of two Anglo-Norman words for a devil or scoundrel, but that too is uncertain. No matter its muddied history—the word has continued to develop in modern times. It can also refer to a type of music with rap lyrics and a reggae beat. Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web The baby was plump, and came to be called Tumpy (for Humpty Dumpty), a moniker that persisted well after poverty had thinned her into a ragamuffin. Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 At least as the wryly morose Shakespeare, a ragamuffin-ish Nolte makes this journey occasionally captivating and lively — if not, ultimately, one worth seeing through to the end. Nick Schager, Variety, 21 Dec. 2021 For the occasion, Wayne ditched his usual ragamuffin chic attire in favor of an understated gray turtleneck and dark, baggy sweater with red trim. Keith Spera, NOLA.com, 21 Jan. 2021 This world teems with joyous Lower East Side ragamuffins, outfitted by costume designer Carol Sorensen. Hugh Hunter, Philly.com, 14 May 2018 Baker’s new exploitation mode includes lurid, nursery-school pastels and ragamuffin kids who curse, vandalize, and set fires. Armond White, National Review, 6 Oct. 2017 And Derek Klena as cavalier hunk and all-around ragamuffin Dmitry. Diana Bruk, Seventeen, 30 Aug. 2016 While still in his teens, Pacino became one of the ragamuffins loitering outside the HB Studio on Bank Street in Greenwich Village, waiting for acting class to start. Jimmy Breslin, Esquire, 20 Mar. 2017 See More Word History Etymology Middle English Ragamuffyn, name for a ragged, oafish person First Known Use 1581, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition ragamuffin noun rag·a·muf·fin ˈra-gə-ˌmə-fən : a poorly clothed and often dirty child ragamuffin noun as in hobo somewhat old-fashioned a child who is dressed in rags and is usually dirty and poor a group of barefoot ragamuffins playing in the street Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance hobo beggar tramp waif urchin derelict vagabond bum vagrant gamine drifter mendicant pauper panhandler roamer transient indigent ne'er-do-well down-and-out down-and-outer insolvent bankrupt almsman have-not Antonyms & Near Antonyms affluent moneybags plutocrat deep pocket millionaire billionaire fat cat millionairess have nabob tycoon success gazillionaire magnate billionairess moneymaker See More
随便看	outgoed outgoer outgoers outgoes outgoing outgoingness outgoingnesses outgoings outgrew outgrinned outgrinning outgrins outgross outgrossed outgrosses outgrossing outgroups outgrow outgrowing outgrown outgrows outgrowth outgrowths outguard outguards

ragamuffin

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun