noun. A short rhythmic phrase, especially one that is repeated in improvisation.

noun. A repeated or varied theme, idea, or phrase.

intransitive verb. To play or make riffs. Often used with on.

noun. An obsolete form of reef.—2. A rapid or riffle. See riffle.

noun. An obsolete form of reef.

noun. The belly; the bowels.

noun. A repeated instrumental melody line in a song.

noun. A clever or witty remark.

verb. To improvise in the performance or practice of an art, especially by expanding on or making novel use of traditional themes.

verb. play riffs

noun. a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation

noun. a Berber living in northern Morocco

verb. look through a book or other written material

"Thanks to technological acceleration, John Cage jokes are rapidly approaching their sell-by date (remember when 4'33 was this wild, crazy cult thing that nobody knew about?), but this riff is a worthy entry in the pantheon."

riff-raff  riffraff  

Berber  ostinato  peruse  play  spiel  

Biff  Cliff  biff  cliff  dif  

Tatum  bongo  film-maker  fingerboard  instrumentals  

riffed  riffing  riffs