Meaning of the word chaff in English

What does chaff mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

chaff

US /tʃæf/
UK /tʃɑːf/

Noun

1.

the dry, scaly protective casings of the seeds of cereal grain (such as wheat or rice) or similar dry, scaly plant material

Example:
After threshing, the grain was separated from the chaff.
The wind scattered the chaff across the field.
2.

worthless things; rubbish

Example:
We need to separate the wheat from the chaff in these proposals.
His arguments were mostly chaff, lacking any real substance.

Verb

to tease good-naturedly

Example:
His friends would often chaff him about his new haircut.
She didn't mind when her brother would chaff her playfully.