# ruff

/ˈɹəf/ (US) · /ɹˈʌf/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ruff
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a stiff, circular collar made of folded fabric that was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. It can also mean a ring of colored feathers or fur around an animal's neck.

For teachers: a wide, pleated collar of starched linen or lace worn in the late 16th and early 17th centuries; also refers to a fringe of distinctive hair or feathers around the neck of an animal.

## Examples

- The queen wore a large lace ruff in the portrait.
- Historical dramas often require elaborate costumes, including the stiff ruffs that were fashionable during the Elizabethan era.
- The male bird displays a magnificent ruff of iridescent feathers during the mating season to attract a mate and signal his genetic fitness.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in historical fashion contexts or ornithological descriptions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.