ruffian
8 synonyms for ruffian, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A violent, lawless, or thuggish person.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ruffian
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a band of ruffians
act like a ruffian
Slightly old-fashioned or literary; modern speech tends to use "thug" or "hooligan" instead.
Etymology
From French rufian, borrowed from Italian ruffiano, originally meaning "pimp."
Full origin of ruffian →Frequently asked questions
What does “ruffian” mean?
The word “ruffian” means a violent, lawless, or thuggish person. In plain terms, a rough, aggressive troublemaker — someone who behaves like a thug.
How do you pronounce “ruffian”?
“Ruffian” is pronounced RUH-fee-uhn (/ˈɹʌfi.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruffian” in a sentence?
Here is “ruffian” used in a sentence: “A gang of ruffians harassed shopkeepers along the street.”
What part of speech is “ruffian”?
“Ruffian” is a noun.
Where does the word “ruffian” come from?
The word “ruffian” comes from French. From French rufian, borrowed from Italian ruffiano, originally meaning "pimp.".
