ripoff

US: /ˈrɪpˌɔf, -ˌɑf-/ ,(rip′ôf′, -of′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rip•off or rip-off /ˈrɪpˌɔf, -ˌɑf-/   n. [countable] [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms an act of stealing or cheating.
2. Slang Terms a copy or imitation.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rip•off  (rip′ôf′, -of′), n. [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms an act or instance of ripping off another or others;
   a theft, cheat, or swindle.
2. Slang Terms exploitation, esp. of those who cannot prevent or counter it.
3. Slang Terms a copy or imitation.
4. Slang Terms a person who rips off another or others;
   thief or swindler.

Also, rip′-off′. 

• noun, nominal use of verb, verbal phrase rip off 1965–70

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rip¹ /rɪp/   v., ripped, rip•ping, n. 
v. 

1. to tear apart roughly or vigorously: [~ + object]
   to rip open a seam.
   [~ + up + object]
   He ripped up the newspaper.
   [~ + object + up]
   He ripped it up.
   [no object]
   Her slacks ripped when she fell.
2. Informal Terms to move with violence or great speed:
   [no object] The car ripped along in a cloud of dust.
3. rip into, [Informal.] [~ + into + object] to attack strongly;
   assail:
   really ripped into the proposal.
4. rip off, [Slang.]
   • to steal: [~ + off + object]
     Someone ripped off his expensive new sports car.
     [~ + object + off]
     Someone must have ripped it off.
   • to cheat or take from dishonestly: [~ + object + off]
     The car dealer tried to rip us off.
     [~ + off + object]
     trying to rip off the tourists.

n. [countable]

5. a tear made by ripping:
   a rip in her jacket.

Idioms

6. Idioms let her or it rip, [no object] [Slang.]
   • to allow something to go on freely or without holding anything back:
     He revved up the engine and let her rip.

rip•per, n. [countable]

RIP or R.I.P., an abbreviation of:

1. Foreign Terms may he or she or they rest in peace (used on a gravestone).

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

rip¹  (rip), v., ripped, rip•ping, n. 
v.t. 

1. to cut or tear apart in a rough or vigorous manner:
   to rip open a seam; to rip up a sheet.
2. to cut or tear away in a rough or vigorous manner:
   to rip bark from a tree.
3. to saw (wood) in the direction of the grain.

v.i. 
4. to become torn apart or split open:
   Cheap cloth rips easily.
5. Informal Terms to move with violence or great speed:
   The sports car ripped along in a cloud of dust and exhaust fumes.
6. let rip, [Slang.]
   • to utter a series of oaths;
     swear.
   • to speak or write violently, rapidly, or at great length.
   • to allow to proceed at full speed or without restraint.
7. rip into, [Informal.] to attack physically or verbally;
   assail.
8. rip off, [Slang.]
   • to steal or pilfer.
   • to rob or steal from.
   • to swindle, cheat, or exploit;
     take advantage of:
     phony charity appeals that rip off a gullible public.
9. rip out, [Informal.] to utter angrily, as with an oath or exclamation.

n. 
10. a rent made by ripping;
    tear.
11. Slang Terms a cheat, swindle, or theft;
    ripoff:
    The average consumer doesn't realize that the new tax is a rip.
• 1470–80; 1960–65 for def. 8; obscurely akin to Frisian rippe, dialect, dialectal Dutch rippen; compare dialect, dialectal English ripple to scratch
rip′pa•ble, adj. 
Synonyms
• 1. See tear ².
• 10. laceration, cut.

rip²  (rip), n. 

1. Oceanography a stretch of turbulent water at sea or in a river.

• see rip¹, ripple¹ 1765–75

rip³  (rip), n. [Informal.]

1. Informal Terms a dissolute or worthless person.
2. Informal Terms a worthless or worn-out horse.
3. Informal Terms something of little or no value.

• probably alteration of rep, shortened form of reprobate 1770–80

Rip  (rip), n. 

1. a male given name, form of Robert. 

R.I.P., 

1. Foreign Terms may he or she rest in peace.
• Latin requiēscat in pāce
2. Foreign Terms may they rest in peace.
• Latin requiēscat in pāce
Also, RIP 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rip off verb

1. (transitive) to tear violently or roughly (from)
2. (adverb) to steal from or cheat (someone)

noun rip-off

1. an article or articles stolen
2. a grossly overpriced article
3. the act of stealing or cheating