chaff

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /tʃæf/ or /tʃɑːf/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /tʃæf/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Noun

Singular chaff

Plural chaffs

Rice chaff (sense 1)

1. Chaff is the outer layers of a grain.
   • Synonym: bran
2. (figurative) Chaff is anything that is useless or worthless.
3. (military) Chaff is small pieces of foil that is released from an aircraft so as to obstruct radar detection.

Verb

Plain form chaff

Third-person singular chaffs

Past tense chaffed

Past participle chaffed

Present participle chaffing

1. (transitive & intransitive) If you chaff, you make fun of or tease a person.
   • Synonym: banter