a short repeated phrase in popular music and jazz, frequently played over changing chords or harmonies or used as a background to a solo improvisation:a brilliant guitar riff
a monologue or spoken improvisation, especially a humorous one, on a particular subject:extended riffs on the pitfalls of contemporary romance
verb
[no object]
play riffs:the other horns would be riffing behind him
perform a monologue or spoken improvisation on a particular subject:he also riffs on racism and the economy
