rag
Worn cloth piece
Clothes that are no longer wearable become rags.
Some fabrics start their lives as rags (dish rag).
Someone dressed in rags has clothes in poor condition.
Calling a newspaper a rag disparages its quality.
A different kind of rag comes from ragtime music, like the Maple Leaf Rag, or any composition with this syncopated rhythm.
The slang verb rag means to scold or tease.
If you rag on someone, you make fun of them.
Damaged by use
- shabbyWorn and neglected
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- frayedUnraveled at edges
- tornPulled into pieces
holey · ripped · tatters · shreds · patches · moth-eaten · faded · distressed
Woven or knit material
- textileMaterial from woven fibers
- scrapDiscarded bit or tussle
- remnantWhat stays after most goes
- shredTorn fragment
cotton · linen · muslin · flannel · terrycloth · gauze · cheesecloth · burlap
Rubbing to clean
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- dustingRemoving surface grime
- moppingCleaning floors with water
buffing · sponging · swabbing · washcloth · chamois · dustcloth · floorcloth · oilcloth
Mock playfully
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- needlePointed implement for sewing
- goadIncite to action
bait · jeer · heckle · harass · torment · badger · pester · wind up
Free of harmful microbes
- padCushioned writing surface
- periodPunctuation ending sentences
- tamponAbsorbent plug for menstruation
- menstruationMonthly uterine bleeding
hygiene · cloth pad · reusable · disposable · leak · absorbency · cycle
Sensationalist newspaper format
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
newsprint · broadsheet · pulp · cheap · local · weekly · press · masthead
Dangerous feat for spectacle
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- trickDeliberate deception
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- caperPrank or pickled bud
jape · lark · horseplay · mischief · fraternity · hazing · initiation · tradition
Stressed unexpected beats
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- strideExtended single footstep
- pianoKeyed percussion instrument
- Maple LeafCanada's official emblem
Scott Joplin · cakewalk · swing · jaunty · lively · upbeat · barrelhouse · honky-tonk
worn
Damaged by use
- shabbyWorn and neglected
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- frayedUnraveled at edges
torn · holey · ripped · tatters · shreds · patches · moth-eaten · faded · distressed · beat-up
fabric
Woven or knit material
shred · cotton · linen · muslin · flannel · terrycloth · gauze · cheesecloth · burlap · calico
wiping
Rubbing to clean
mopping · buffing · sponging · swabbing · washcloth · chamois · dustcloth · floorcloth · oilcloth · absorbent
tease
Mock playfully
- mockScornful imitation or fake
- ridiculeContemptuous mocking treatment
- needlePointed implement for sewing
goad · bait · jeer · heckle · harass · torment · badger · pester · wind up · rib
sanitary
Free of harmful microbes
menstruation · hygiene · cloth pad · reusable · disposable · leak · absorbency · cycle
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
yellow journalism · newsprint · broadsheet · pulp · cheap · local · weekly · press · masthead · circulation
stunt
Dangerous feat for spectacle
caper · jape · lark · horseplay · mischief · fraternity · hazing · initiation · tradition · charity
syncopation
Stressed unexpected beats
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- strideExtended single footstep
- pianoKeyed percussion instrument
Scott Joplin · Maple Leaf · cakewalk · swing · jaunty · lively · upbeat · barrelhouse · honky-tonk
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- absorbentssponge, sponges, paper towel, paper towels, towels
- cleanerscleaner, cleaners, maids, maid, detergent
- cleaning thingscleaners, washers, scrubbers, wipers, dusters
- cleaning toolsbrush, brooms, scrub brush, sweepers, sponge
- painting suppliesbrushes, paint, paint tubes, paintbrush, brush
ragfine linen
High-quality flax textile
silk · cashmere · whole cloth · finery · velvet
- rag dollSoft stuffed fabric toy
- rags to richesDramatic upward social mobility
- run raggedExhaust through excessive demands
- wet ragMoistened fabric for cleaning
- in ragsWearing torn clothing
- run someone raggedExhaust through excessive demands
rags, ragged, raggedy, ragging, ragamuffin, ragtime, raggedly, dishrag, washrag