ragged

Everyday

1. Old and torn, with holes and loose threads: «a ragged coat». tree →
2. Wearing old, torn clothes: «a ragged child». tree →
3. Rough and uneven at the edges, not smooth: «a ragged coastline», «ragged clouds». tree →
4. Not well together; untidy, uneven or tired: «a ragged performance», «ragged breathing». tree →
5. (verb form) Past of «rag» (to tease): «They ragged him about his hat.» (UK, old-fashioned) tree →

In the lessons

In stories ragged clothes show poverty or a long hard journey (Victorian street children); in geography a ragged coastline has many bays and points; in sport a ragged team plays badly. Phrases: «ragged clothes», «ragged edges», «run ragged» (made very tired).

Examples

• The poor boy in the story wore a ragged coat. tree →
• Tear the paper slowly or the edge will be ragged. tree →
• Norway has a ragged coastline full of fjords. tree →
• The band gave a ragged performance after no practice. tree →
• Looking after twins runs Mum ragged. tree →
• His breathing was ragged after the race. tree →
• The scarecrow's ragged hat flapped in the wind. tree →
• "I'm Elfin, the pig keeper," said the ragged youth. tree →

Note

Pronounced RAG-id (two syllables) as an adjective; but as the past of the verb «rag» it is one syllable, RAGD. «Run someone ragged» means make them very tired. Related: rag, rags. Not the same as «rugged» (rough and strong).