rummy

¹ American  

[ruhm-ee] / ˈrʌm i /

noun

1. any of various card games for two, three, or four players, each usually being dealt seven, nine, or ten cards, in which the object is to match cards into sets and sequences.

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rummy ² American  

[ruhm-ee] / ˈrʌm i /

noun

plural

rummies

1. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. a habitual drinker of alcohol who is frequently intoxicated.

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adjective

1. of or like rum.

rummy ³ American  

[ruhm-ee] / ˈrʌm i /

adjective

Chiefly British Slang.

rummier, rummiest

1. odd; peculiar.

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rummy ¹ British  

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. a slang word for drunkard

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adjective

1. of or like rum in taste or smell

rummy ² British  

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. a card game based on collecting sets and sequences

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rummy ³ British  

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

adjective

1. another word for rum 2

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Etymology

Origin of rummy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; perhaps special use of rummy ³

Origin of rummy²

First recorded in 1840–45; rum ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of rummy³

First recorded in 1820–30; rum ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

"I also lost to my daugher Sophia at cards over Christmas. We played rummy and I think she was cheating - a lot like AI, she was definitely getting some help from somewhere."

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

Without much warning, these adults will suddenly start speaking in a cartoonish voice: Eric turns rummy as a mannered Brit named Charles, while Rachel murmurs as “Moopie-Moopie.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2023

We play gin rummy together by candlelight after dinner.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2022

"She always thinks of others first, and she stays positive no matter what, even when I beat her at our favorite game of gin rummy!"

From Fox News • Dec. 28, 2021

Layla and Ivy used to play rummy with their grandma before she moved to Florida.

From "Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World" by Ashley Herring Blake

Related Words

• drunkard