ruffian

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈrʌfiən/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈrʌfiən, ˈrʌfjən/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(ruf′ē ən, ruf′yən)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ruf•fi•an /ˈrʌfiən, ˈrʌfyən/USA pronunciation   n. [countable]
  1. a tough, violent person;
    a bully.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
ruf•fi•an  (ruf′ē ən, ruf′yən),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. a tough, lawless person;
    roughneck;
    bully.

adj. 
  1. Also, ruf′fi•an•ly. tough;
    lawless;
    brutal.
  • Langobardic *hruf scurf + Italian -ano -an
  • Italian ruffiano, perh.
  • Middle French
  • 1525–35
    • 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged brute, tough, knave, rogue, blackguard.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
ruffian / ˈrʌfɪən/
  1. a violent or lawless person; hoodlum or villain
Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French rufien, from Italian ruffiano, perhaps related to Langobardic hruf scurf, scabbinessˈruffianismˈruffianly
'ruffian' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Hessian - apache - bullyboy - highbinder - hoodlum - hooligan - mug - plug-ugly - plugugly - punk - roister - rough - ruffianism - scruff - thug - tough - wop

Forum discussions with the word(s) "ruffian" in the title:


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