What does riffling mean?
Riffling means turning through the pages of a book, newspaper, or similar material rapidly, usually while looking for a particular passage or piece of information. The phrase "riffle through" suggests quick, repeated page-turning rather than sustained reading, though the action can also be a casual way of surveying the contents of a publication. The verb also has a more specialized use in card games, where a player riffles a deck by bending it and releasing cards from the two sections into a combined pack. In general use, riffling carries no strongly negative connotation: it can imply impatient searching, hurried reading, or simply rapid browsing. It is distinct from skimming, which usually means reading only the most important parts, because riffling emphasizes physically turning through material rather than the level of attention paid to the text.
verbTo turn the pages of a book or other material rapidly, especially while searching for a particular passage. It can also describe shuffling a pack of cards.
- To turn or run through the pages of a book, periodical, or collection rapidly, especially while searching for information.
- To shuffle or divide a pack of cards by bending part of the pack and releasing cards from the two sections.
"She spent the afternoon riffling through old journals in the library."
"He riffled through the newspaper until he found the article he had been looking for."
"The dealer riffled the deck before dealing the first hand."
A quiet adventurer can cover an entire book in minutes just by riffling through its pages.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does riffling come from?
The origin of "riffle" is uncertain, and the word is thought to have developed through an alteration of an earlier form. Its older established sense concerns shuffling a pack of cards; the modern sense of rapidly turning through pages developed by extension from the quick movement involved in that action.
Related word forms
How riffling is actually used
The expression "riffle through" is especially common when searching a book or other printed material. In publishing and everyday speech, "riffle through" is also sometimes used figuratively for quickly examining many pages, files, or items.
Easily confused with riffling
Riffling means rapidly turning pages or cards, whereas rippling describes a small wave or a gentle undulating movement.