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

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.

From Los Angeles Times

“Now, how about a game of gin rummy?”

From Literature

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

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

From New York Times

Related Words

• drunkard