ruffian

[ ruhf-ee-uhn, ruhf-yuhn ]

/ ˈrʌf i ən, ˈrʌf yən /

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See synonyms for ruffian on Thesaurus.com

noun

a tough, lawless person; roughneck; bully.

adjective

Also ruf·fi·an·ly. tough; lawless; brutal.

OTHER WORDS FOR ruffian

1 brute, tough, knave, rogue, blackguard.

See synonyms for ruffian on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of ruffian

1525–35; <Middle French <Italian ruffiano, perhaps <Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano-an

Words nearby ruffian

rufescent, ruff, ruffe, ruffed, ruffed grouse, ruffian, ruffianism, Ruffini's corpuscle, ruffle, ruffled, ruffler

How to use ruffian in a sentence

As a boy, he admired the hoodlums and ruffians he saw on the streets.
The Mobster Who Brought Armenia and Azerbaijan Together … in Death|Fiona Zublin|October 9, 2020|Ozy
We know the governor, despite his popularity and his toe-dips into bipartisanship, has a reputation as a ruffian.
Is Chris Christie from Jersey or Jupiter?|Kevin Bleyer|January 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course I had to satisfy the ruffian's insolent demands, but I did so under protest.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The ruffian released him at last, and, leaping to his feet, was gone before Rabecque could rise.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

Up the slope they dashed, and past the place where Matt and Clip had had their encounter with Jem and the other ruffian.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
It was hard work to keep his hands off the ruffian who was one of the main causes of the trouble.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
At length one bold ruffian came near her, but was struck dead at her feet by a thunderbolt.
Fighting the Traffic in Young Girls|Various

British Dictionary definitions for ruffian

ruffian

/ (ˈrʌfɪən) /

noun

a violent or lawless person; hoodlum or villain

Derived forms of ruffian

ruffianism, nounruffianly, adjective

Word Origin for ruffian

C16: from Old French rufien, from Italian ruffiano, perhaps related to Langobardic hruf scurf, scabbiness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ruffian

OTHER WORDS FOR ruffian

Origin of ruffian

Words nearby ruffian

Words related to ruffian

How to use ruffian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ruffian

Derived forms of ruffian

Word Origin for ruffian