rag rag /ˈræg/

noun

1. () A small piece of cloth or paper  ( shred , tag , tag end , rag , tatter )
   a small piece of cloth or paper
     She used an old rag to clean the dusty shelves.
   She used an old rag to clean the dusty shelves.
   
   
2. [British] A boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)  ( rag [British] )
   a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)
   
3. [Informal] Newspaper with half-size pages  ( rag [Informal] , sheet , tabloid )
   newspaper with half-size pages
   
   
4. Music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)  ( rag , ragtime )
   music with a syncopated melody (usually for the piano)
   
5. [British] A week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities  ( rag [British] , rag week [British] )
   a week at British universities during which side-shows and processions of floats are organized to raise money for charities
   

verb

1. (mining) break into lumps before sorting  ( rag )
   (mining) break into lumps before sorting
    Rag ore
   rag ore
   
2. [Informal] Censure severely or angrily  ( bawl out [Informal] , call down [Informal] , call on the carpet [Informal, American] , chew out [Informal, N. American] , chew up [Informal, N. American] , dress down [Informal] , have words , jaw [Informal] , lambast , berate , chide , lambaste , lecture , rag [Informal] , rebuke , remonstrate , reprimand , scold , take to task , trounce )
   censure severely or angrily
    The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
   The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
    The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
   The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
    The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
   The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
   
3. Harass with persistent criticism or carping  ( cod , rag , rally , bait , razz , ride , tantalise , tantalize , twit , taunt , tease )
   harass with persistent criticism or carping
    The children teased the new teacher
   The children teased the new teacher
    Don't ride me so hard over my failure
   Don't ride me so hard over my failure
    His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
   His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
   
4. (music) play in ragtime  ( rag )
   (music) play in ragtime
    Rag that old tune
   rag that old tune
   
5. Cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations  ( chafe , devil , get at [Informal] , get to , gravel [American] , nark [British, Slang] , nettle , rag , rile , annoy , bother , irritate , vex )
   cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
    Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
   Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
    It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
   It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves
   
6. Treat cruelly  ( bedevil , dun , frustrate , crucify , rag , torment )
   treat cruelly
    The children tormented the stuttering teacher
   The children tormented the stuttering teacher