noun
ruff
ruhf
Ruff (noun) means a stiff, frilled collar worn around the neck, especially in 16th and 17th century fashion. Example: “The portrait showed a nobleman in a starched white ruff.”
noun
1
A stiff, frilled collar worn around the neck, especially in 16th and 17th century fashion.
"The portrait showed a nobleman in a starched white ruff."
2
A wading bird known for the male's decorative neck feathers grown during breeding season.
"Birdwatchers spotted a ruff displaying near the marsh."
verb
1
In card games, to play a trump card because you can't follow the suit led.
"She ruffed the trick with her last spade."
How to use ruff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA frilly collar (fashion), a type of bird, or a card-game move — three unrelated meanings sharing one spelling.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ruffs
- Third person singular
- ruffs
- Past tense
- ruffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The portrait showed a nobleman in a starched white _____.
Etymology
Likely a shortened form of "ruffle," possibly influenced by "rough."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ruff
See all rhymes for ruff →Frequently asked questions
What does “ruff” mean?
The word “ruff” means a stiff, frilled collar worn around the neck, especially in 16th and 17th century fashion. In plain terms, a frilly collar (fashion), a type of bird, or a card-game move — three unrelated meanings sharing one spelling.
How do you pronounce “ruff”?
“Ruff” is pronounced ruhf (/ɹəf/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruff” in a sentence?
Here is “ruff” used in a sentence: “The portrait showed a nobleman in a starched white ruff.”
What is another word for “ruff”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ruff” include trump.
What part of speech is “ruff”?
Depending on how it is used, “ruff” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “ruff” have?
“Ruff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stiff, frilled collar worn around the neck, especially in 16th and 17th century fashion.
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