Riff Is Probably Refrain Worn Down

A riff is a short repeated musical phrase, and by extension an improvised variation on any theme. It emerged in American jazz slang in the 1930s and its origin is uncertain; the likeliest explanation is a clipped, worn-down form of *refrain*, though *riffle* has also been suggested. What distinguishes a riff from a melody is repetition: a riff is a figure that recurs beneath or between the tune. The verb now works far outside music — a comedian riffs on a subject.

• A repeated phrase. *A guitar riff.*
• To improvise on. *Riffing on a theme.*
• Refrain — the likely source. *A refrain.*
• Lick — a related term. *A lick.*
• American jazz — the 1930s. *The origin.*

Word forms

• The song opens with a riff.Music.
• He riffed on the idea.Improvisation.
• It appeared in 1930s jazz.History.

Riff, lick, hook, ostinato

• Riff — a repeated figure, often the backbone of a song
• Lick — a short phrase used within a solo
• Hook — the catchiest part, designed to stick
• Ostinato — the classical term for a repeated figure
• Vamp — a repeated passage held until a cue

Origin uncertain, American jazz slang from the 1930s, probably a clipped form of *refrain*.