/ɹælf/
OriginUS 1960s, of uncertain origin, apparently derived from a use of the male name Ralph, but perhaps imitative.
- UK, obsolete, regionalA raven.
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
“There were none fine but Adam, Ralph, and Gregory: / The rest were ragged, old, and beggarly”
“Regarding the correct pronunciation, especially of the name Ralph: according to a friend at the BBC, the possibilities of this name - either aristocratic 'Rafe' or vulgar, almost Australasian 'Ralff' ”
- A surname originating as a patronymic.
- slangFictional person used in references to vomiting.
“He's outside calling Ralph [i.e. vomiting].”
- An unincorporated community in Harding County, South Dakota, United States.
- An unincorporated community in Webster County, West Virginia, United States.
Formsralphs(present, singular, third-person) · ralphing(participle, present) · ralphed(participle, past) · ralphed(past) · rauf(alternative) · rolf(alternative) · ralphs(plural) · Rawle(alternative)