What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ragged
Example
He wore a ragged shirt with holes in it. [ragged: adjective]
Example
The edges of the paper were ragged from being torn. [ragged: adjective]
Example
After a long day at work, she looked ragged and exhausted. [ragged: adjective]
tattered
Example
The tattered flag hung limply from the pole. [tattered: adjective]
Example
Her dress was tattered and torn after the accident. [tattered: adjective]
Example
The homeless man's tattered clothes showed signs of wear and tear. [tattered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ragged and tattered are both common words in everyday language, but ragged is slightly more common.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ragged and tattered?
Both ragged and tattered are informal words and are not typically used in formal writing or speech.
