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 rum·mies.

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.

, rum·mi·er, rum·mi·est.

1. odd; peculiar.

rummy

¹

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. a card game based on collecting sets and sequences

rummy

²

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

noun

1. See drunkard
   a slang word for drunkard

adjective

1. of or like rum in taste or smell

rummy

³

/ ˈrʌmɪ /

adjective

1. See rum
   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

The “rooty toot toot” is simply the noise the horns make, while “rummy tum tum” is the drums.

From The Daily Beast

Gin rummy was his big game and he fraternized with high rollers like Minnesota Fats and Dean Chance.

From The Daily Beast

Does making these comments take more or less gall than Rummy with that tweet this morning?

From The Daily Beast

It's a diversion, much like pinochle or gin rummy were in the days when there were only three TV channels.

From The Daily Beast

The American Conservative Union will be giving Rummy the “Defender of the Constitution” Award.

From The Daily Beast

I spose thats their trench acrost there, he said doubtfully, but its a rummy lookin mix up.

From Project Gutenberg

I've been to some rummy places in my time; and a waiter ain't the blind owl as he's supposed to be.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as the door closed behind her, Max Rostoff turned and snarled, "Where have you been, you rummy?"

From Project Gutenberg

Rostoff snatched up the fallen gun, snarling, "I'm calling your bluff, you gutless rummy."

From Project Gutenberg

It was bound to be a lame dog, anyhow—and it might as well've been Rummy as anybody.

From Project Gutenberg