Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [ruhf-ee-uh n, ruhf-yuh n]
- /ˈrʌf i ən, ˈrʌf yən/
- /ˈrʌf.i.ən/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [ruhf-ee-uh n, ruhf-yuh n]
- /ˈrʌf i ən, ˈrʌf yən/
Definitions of ruffian word
- noun ruffian a tough, lawless person; roughneck; bully. 1
- adjective ruffian Also, ruffianly. tough; lawless; brutal. 1
- noun ruffian criminal, tough person 1
- countable noun ruffian A ruffian is a man who behaves violently and is involved in crime. 0
- noun ruffian a violent or lawless person; hoodlum or villain 0
- noun ruffian a brutal, violent, lawless person; tough or hoodlum 0
Information block about the term
Origin of ruffian
First appearance:
before 1525 One of the 28% oldest English words
1525-35; < Middle French < Italian ruffiano, perhaps < Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano -an
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Ruffian
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
ruffian popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 69% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
ruffian usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for ruffian
noun ruffian
- antagonizer — a person who antagonizes people, or provokes hostility: The leader was an antagonizer of the peasantry. Compare antagonist.
- anthropophagi — cannibals
- anthropophagite — a cannibal
- barbarian — In former times, barbarians were people from other countries who were thought to be uncivilized and violent.
- brawler — a noisy quarrel, squabble, or fight.
adj ruffian
- in-correct — not correct as to fact; inaccurate; wrong: an incorrect statement.
Top questions with ruffian
- what does ruffian mean?
- what is a ruffian?
- how did ruffian die?
- what happened to ruffian?
- where is ruffian buried?
- what is the definition of ruffian?
- what does the word ruffian mean?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with r
- Words starting with ru
- Words starting with ruf
- Words starting with ruff
- Words starting with ruffi
- Words starting with ruffia
- Words starting with ruffian