raffle1
/ˈraf(ə)l
/noun
A means of raising money by selling numbered tickets, one or some of which are subsequently drawn at random, the holder or holders of such tickets winning a prize: [as modifier]: a raffle ticket [with modifier]: a charity raffle...
- Much of the money was raised through raffles, with wonderful prizes donated by local businesses.
- The voluntary group who need E30,000 every year to keep afloat raise money through raffles, sponsored walks and from donations.
- In the pubs and sports clubs they held raffles to raise money.
Synonyms
lottery, (prize) draw, sweepstake, sweep, tombola, ballot
British trademark Instants
North American lotto, numbers game/pool/racket;
Australian/New Zealand tote, pakapoo
verb [with object]
Offer as a prize in a raffle: a toy polar bear was due to be raffled for the appeal...
- More seriously they were helping to raise funds for the tsunami appeal, raffling a superb prize donated by Nestlé of a day's motor racing.
- We would like to thank the public and all the business people who gave donations and sponsored some of the wonderful prizes which were raffled on the day.
- The fundraiser received a lot of support from the local traders in Abbeyleix who contributed a wide variety of prizes, which were raffled on the night.
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting a kind of dice game): from Old French, of unknown origin. The current sense dates from the mid 18th century.
Rhymes
raffle2
/ˈraf(ə)l/noun [mass noun] dialect
Rubbish; refuse: the raffle of the yard below
Origin
Late Middle English (in the sense 'rabble, riff-raff'): perhaps from Old French ne rifle ne rafle 'nothing at all'.