rummy

¹

[ruhm-ee]

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.

rummy

²

[ruhm-ee]

noun

plural

rummies 

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

adjective

1. of or like rum.

rummy

³

[ruhm-ee]

adjective

Chiefly British Slang.

rummier, rummiest 

1. odd; peculiar.

rummy

¹

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. a slang word for drunkard

adjective

1. of or like rum in taste or smell

rummy

²

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. a card game based on collecting sets and sequences

rummy

³

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

adjective

1. another word for rum 2

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rummy¹

C20: perhaps from _rum ²

Example Sentences

A friendship blossoms thanks to a shared affection for gin rummy, but Jones slowly reveals Fish’s tenderness, the possibility of romance spreading out in front of him.

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“Now, how about a game of gin rummy?”

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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.”

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During tough negotiations over a child care bill with Bob Packwood of Oregon, he challenged her to a game of gin rummy.

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“After that, we’ll play board games. We love to play board games — dominoes, backgammon, gin rummy.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• drunkard