English vocabulary · B2
Chaff
/tʃæf/ · n.
Chaff means the light dry parts around grain that people do not keep. They are removed so the useful grain remains.
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Example sentences
- The wind carried the chaff away.
- The farmer separated grain from chaff.
Word origin and roots
from Old English
- ceaf — husk (from Old English)
Synonyms and nuances
- HUSK — the dry outside of a seed (Outer Cover)
- WASTE — material that is not useful (Not Kept)
- DEBRIS — small pieces left after work (Small Left Pieces)
Similar words
- husk
- waste
- debris
Lesson notes
Chaff means the light dry parts around grain that people do not keep. They are removed so the useful grain remains.
Related: husk, waste, debris. Use chaff when the light dry parts are removed from useful grain.
The wind carried the chaff away. The farmer separated grain from chaff.
From Old English. Ceaf means husk. Ceaf became chaff. People have long kept the grain and left the dry covering behind.