riff
/rɪf/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A short musical phrase that repeats, often as part of a song. It is common in rock, jazz, and pop music.
- That guitar riff is instantly recognisable.
- The song starts with a strong drum riff.
- He played a blues riff on the piano.
verb
To improvise or play a short repeated musical phrase. It can also mean to speak or write in a free, playful way.
- She riffed on the melody for a few minutes.
- The comedian riffed on city life.
- He riffed through the tune during rehearsal.
Adinary Nuance
A riff is more specific than a melody or tune. It is usually short, repeated, and memorable, especially in rock or jazz. Writers and speakers also use it for a playful, improvised comment or performance. That makes it different from more general words like phrase or line.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đoạn nhạc lặp
- Spanish
- riff
- Chinese
- 重复乐句
- Japanese
- リフ
- Korean
- 리프
Etymology
Riff appeared in English in the early 20th century, first in jazz and popular music. Its exact origin is unclear, but it is often linked to African American music culture.
Common phrases
guitar riffdrum riffriff on somethingplay a riff
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is riff a formal word?
- In music, it is common and neutral. For speech or writing, it sounds casual and lively.
- What is the difference between riff and melody?
- A melody is the full main tune. A riff is a short repeated part of the music.
- Can riff be used for speaking?
- Yes. It can mean speaking in a free, playful way about one topic.