Riff

In music a riff is a repeated instrumental melody in a song like that catchy guitar lick from Black Sabbath's "Iron Man." It also means to improvise in your performance, esp. by expanding on something recognizable. So another artist might start with Sabbath's "Iron Man" melody at a live show and then take it in completely different direction.

"Man that's a sick guitar riff in that Metallica song Enter Sandman"

"I saw this great improv jazz band that could really riff."

The term is also often used to describe inspiration and improvisation in other things like acting, comedy, dancing, drawing, djing/scratching etc.

a b-boy might say, "So, I was breakin with Jamil the other day and was feelin what he was doin so I started riffin off his style and adding some new flava to it. I vibed off his uprock but threw in some popping and dropped down to a wind mill...It was dope."

an mc might say, "Yo me and my boy were in a cipher last night and we just started to riff off each other, we were just lettin it flow back and forth, ya know what I'm sayin."

by mockarena April 16, 2009

riff-raff

White rapper who is "hotter than a old thelma and louise sweater"

Riff-Raff "Diamonds cause head on collisions, ruined the transmission on your brand new prescription"

by Tluvifyourenasty July 10, 2011

the riff

Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

Penriff Panthers NRL Team
The Riff is the Town where everyone wheres one shoe ;-)

by dru itt April 24, 2007

riff raff

A negative term for people that lack social grace, education or that have minority status.

The new housing that's going up is driving out the riff raff.

I enjoy the Midwest because of it's low amount of riff raff.

by Barrando October 10, 2011

riffarama

A huge musical wall of riffs!
A panoramic sound.
Combination of panorama and riff.
Surround sound of wall to wall guitars

Coined by rock journalist Mark Fraser

Solid guitar riffarama

by redbackrock February 8, 2009

Riffi

A hot young man who has alright hair. He is lowkey weird but gets all the hot ladies. Bitches watch out hes Mr steal yo girl. Riffi come over some time🤪

Where’s Riffi?
Oh, Riffi is in a frat bedroom fucking a random girl.

by Sexyhaas6969 May 31, 2020

Riff

Incredibly cool; a combination of "rad " (see: "rad") and kiff (ditto "kiff).

Dude, that air was so epic, it was like the Great Barrier Riff, man!

by Commonwealthy April 22, 2015