noun
ruffian
RUH-fee-uhn
Ruffian (noun) means a violent, lawless, or thuggish person. Example: “A gang of ruffians harassed shopkeepers along the street.”
noun
1
A violent, lawless, or thuggish person.
"A gang of ruffians harassed shopkeepers along the street."
"He was dismissed as a ruffian, though he later proved surprisingly gentle."
How to use ruffian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rough, aggressive troublemaker — someone who behaves like a thug.
When to use it
Slightly old-fashioned or literary; modern speech tends to use "thug" or "hooligan" instead.
Common pairings
a band of ruffians
act like a ruffian
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Word forms
- Plural
- ruffians
- Third person singular
- ruffians
- Past tense
- ruffianed
- Comparative
- more ruffian
- Superlative
- most ruffian
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A gang of _____ harassed shopkeepers along the street.
Etymology
From French rufian, borrowed from Italian ruffiano, originally meaning "pimp."
Related words
Rhymes for ruffian
See all rhymes for 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.".
