Rags: meaning, definitions and examples

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rags

[ræɡz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

pieces of cloth

Rags are small pieces of old cloth that are torn or cut from larger pieces of cloth.

Synonyms

cloth scraps, shreds, tatters.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rags	Used to describe pieces of old or worn-out fabric often used for cleaning or as clothing that is in bad condition. He wiped the dirty table with an old rag. The homeless man was dressed in rags.
cloth scraps	Small pieces of leftover fabric often used for sewing or crafting projects. She made a quilt using cloth scraps from various projects. The floor was littered with cloth scraps from the sewing class.
tatters	Pieces of fabric that are torn and ragged, typically used to describe clothing or material that is badly damaged. His clothes were in tatters after the rough journey. The flag was left in tatters after the storm.
shreds	Thin strips or bits of material, which can refer to fabric or other materials that have been torn into pieces. He tore the paper into shreds. The old curtain hung in shreds.

Examples of usage

She used old rags to clean the windows.
The beggar was dressed in rags.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

scraps of food

Rags can also refer to small scraps of food left on a plate or in a bowl after a meal.

Synonyms

leftovers, remnants, scraps.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rags	Used when referring to old, torn clothes or fabric often considered worthless. It can also metaphorically describe a poor or humble state. She dressed in rags because she couldn't afford new clothes The mechanic used old rags to clean up the oil spill
leftovers	Commonly used to describe food that remains uneaten after a meal. It implies something that is still useful or edible. We had yesterday's leftovers for lunch Don't throw away the leftovers, I can have them for dinner
scraps	Describes small, leftover pieces of material. Can refer to food waste, bits of paper, or fabric, usually implying something discarded. The dog eagerly ate the scraps of food from the table She collected paper scraps for her collage project
remnants	Used to describe small remaining pieces of something that was once larger. Often refers to fabric, memories, or traces of past events. She found remnants of her childhood toys in the attic The tailor used remnants of fabric to make patchwork quilts

Examples of usage

The dog eagerly licked up the rags left on the plate.
She threw away the rags of food that were left over.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

tattered clothing

Rags can be used to describe old, torn, or tattered clothing.

Synonyms

hand-me-downs, shabby clothes, tattered clothing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
rags	Used to describe old, torn, or worn-out clothes, often in poor condition. It can have a negative connotation, indicating poverty or neglect. He was dressed in rags and looked like he hadn't eaten in days. The children played in the streets in their rags.
tattered clothing	Used to describe clothes that are very worn and torn, with a strong visual image of damage and neglect. It often carries a negative connotation and suggests extreme wear or poverty. The homeless man wore tattered clothing that barely kept him warm. Her tattered clothing showed years of hardship.
shabby clothes	Describes clothing that is worn out, faded, or in poor condition but not necessarily torn. It generally implies neglect or wear due to age and use, without a strong negative implication. He arrived at the party in shabby clothes, which made him feel out of place. The actor wore shabby clothes to fit his film character, a struggling artist.
hand-me-downs	Refers to used clothes or items that were previously owned by someone else, often passed down within a family. It does not necessarily have a negative connotation and can simply indicate second-hand items. She wore her older sister's hand-me-downs to school. Growing up, I always had hand-me-down toys and clothes.

Examples of usage

He wore rags that barely covered his body.
The children played dress-up with old rags.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term 'rags' can be traced back to Middle English, where it referred to torn clothing, emphasizing wear and tear.
In the 19th century, 'rag picking' became an occupation, where people collected old rags for recycling into paper and textiles.
The phrase 'rags to riches' emerged in the early 20th century, highlighting the dramatic stories of people rising from poverty.

Pop Culture

The musical 'Rags' focuses on the immigrant experience in America, showcasing how people strive for a better life despite humble beginnings.
In literature, the character of the 'ragtag' hero often embodies resilience, emerging from tough situations to achieve greatness.
Fashion designers have famously used rags as inspiration, turning old textiles into haute couture and emphasizing sustainability.

Science

In the textile recycling process, rags are often broken down and reprocessed into fiber to create new materials, reducing waste.
Studies show that using rags for cleaning can be more environmentally friendly compared to disposable wipes, as they can be washed and reused.

Psychology

People often associate rags with poverty, which can lead to feelings of empathy or guilt when thinking about social inequality.
The act of transforming rags into something valuable can symbolize personal growth and resilience in psychological terms.

Art

Artists have used old rags and textiles in mixed media art, creating meaningful works that discuss consumption and waste.
Rags have found their place in traditional crafts, where they are often woven or quilted into beautiful textiles, telling stories of heritage.

Translations

Translations of the word "rags" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trapos

🇮🇳 चिंदियाँ

🇩🇪 Lumpen

🇮🇩 kain perca

🇺🇦 ганчірки

🇵🇱 szmaty

🇯🇵 ぼろ切れ

🇫🇷 chiffons

🇪🇸 trapos

🇹🇷 paçavra

🇰🇷 누더기

🇸🇦 خرق

🇨🇿 hadr

🇸🇰 handry

🇨🇳 破布

🇸🇮 cunje

🇮🇸 tuskur

🇰🇿 жыртық

🇬🇪 ჩვრები

🇦🇿 cır-cındır

🇲🇽 trapos

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,597, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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