ragtag

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'ragtag' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is often used to describe a group that is disorganized, diverse, and perhaps unconventional. It can also imply that the group is not highly respected or regarded. An example of using 'ragtag' in a sentence could be: "The group of protesters was a ragtag bunch, made up of students, retirees, and activists from various organizations." Here, 'ragtag' is used to describe the protesters as a diverse and possibly unorganized group. It also suggests that they may not be seen as a powerful or influential group in society.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To salt their wounds, a puckish figure named Igor Matovič soaked up most of the right's losses, leading his ragtag Ordinary People party to its first ever berth in parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the time I was a child and impressed that this glamorously ragtag bunch of pop stars were raising money for a cause in a country I knew little about.

The Guardian - Music

Let us not forget that the real reason for Ukip's corrosive rise is the perceived collective failure of our political classes, not that party's ragtag collection of policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

In addition to the huge number of different groups fighting on the Ukrainian side, there is also a ragtag assortment of people fighting for the separatists – a mixture of Cossack militias and others from Russia who may have links with Russian intelligence, people representing local business and criminal interests, and ideologically motivated locals who genuinely believe in the cause.

The Guardian

League leaders Bayern Munich won 2-0 against Felix Magath's ragtag army in green shirts.

The Guardian - Sport

In the midst of menswear fashion shows in Paris, when I'm normally wearing my own ragtag mishmash of outre London designers, a heavy dose of Comme des Garçons and offbeat vintage pieces, I tried my hand at French chic à la Valentine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Politicians who should know better, such as Dean Heller, Nevada's Republican senator, and Brian Sandoval, the state's mild-mannered governor, were all too quick to suggest that the story's real villains are the federal officials seeking to enforce multiple court orders against Mr Bundy, rather than the ragtag posse ranged against them.

The Economist

But it is not clear that fighting ragtag armed groups one by one can restore peace in Congo.

The Economist

The battles are confined to specific areas, such as around Donetsk airport, which a ragtag group of Ukrainian soldiers have held against all odds.

The Economist

They charge that the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, himself failed to protect the 2m or so of his people displaced by the Lord's Resistance Army, a ragtag but monstrous militia from northern Uganda that continues to mutilate and burn civilians out of their homes in Congo, Sudan and the Central African Republic.

The Economist

He and Ernesto Chee" Guevara, the Argentine adventurer who died in Bolivia in 1967, were the orthodox Marxists among the leaders of Fidel's Rebel Army, the ragtag band of bearded guerrillas who toppled the corrupt, American-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ragtag" to vividly describe groups or collections that lack uniformity and may appear unorganized, adding color and detail to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ragtag" when a neutral or positive description is intended. The word often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of polish or professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ragtag" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe them as disorganized, diverse, or unconventional. Ludwig examples show its use to depict groups of people or collections of items lacking uniformity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "ragtag" is an adjective used to describe something or someone disorganized, diverse, or unconventional. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, particularly in News & Media. It carries a connotation of informality and a lack of refinement. While grammatically correct, care should be taken to ensure its slightly negative implication aligns with the intended message. Alternatives such as "motley" or "disorganized" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motley

Emphasizes the diverse and varied composition.

disparate

Highlights the distinct and dissimilar nature of the components.

disorganized

Focuses on the lack of structure.

shambolic

Emphasizes extreme disorganization and chaos.

hodgepodge

Highlights the mixture of different elements.

scruffy

Highlights untidiness and poor condition.

assorted

Stresses the variety within the group or collection.

unruly

Focuses on the lack of control and order.

mixed

Simply indicates a combination of different things.

unconventional

Emphasizes the deviation from established norms or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "ragtag" in a sentence?

You can use "ragtag" to describe a group of people or things that are disorganized or not very well organized. For example, "The rebels were a "ragtag group" of farmers and students."

What's a synonym for "ragtag"?

Alternatives to "ragtag" include "motley", "disorganized", or "scruffy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "ragtag" a formal word?

No, "ragtag" is generally considered an informal word. It's best to avoid it in formal writing or speech unless you're aiming for a specific effect.

What's the difference between "ragtag" and "diverse"?

"Diverse" simply means having a variety of different elements. "Ragtag" implies not only diversity but also a lack of organization or polish. So, a group can be diverse without being "ragtag".