Word
ruffian
Phoneticsruf·fi·an
US/ˈɹʌfiən/
UK/ɹˈʌfiən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is violent or behaves in a rough, lawless way. You might use this word to describe someone who starts fights or causes trouble in the street.
n. a violent, lawless, or brutal person. Often carries a literary or slightly dated tone, typically describing someone who engages in street-level thuggery or physical intimidation.
Examples
“The ruffian was arrested after the street fight.”
“A group of ruffians gathered at the corner, making the local shopkeepers nervous with their aggressive shouting.”
“Victorian novels often featured a misunderstood protagonist who was forced to defend himself against a band of ruffians in the darker alleys of the city.”
Examples
simple
“The ruffian was arrested after the street fight.”
contextual
“A group of ruffians gathered at the corner, making the local shopkeepers nervous with their aggressive shouting.”
complex
“Victorian novels often featured a misunderstood protagonist who was forced to defend himself against a band of ruffians in the darker alleys of the city.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “ruffian” in context.
Verb
01. apprehend ruffian
“The constabulary managed to apprehend the ruffian after a brief chase through the alley.”
verb + noun
02. chastise ruffian
“The judge did not hesitate to chastise the ruffian for his lack of remorse.”
verb + noun
03. disarm ruffian
“It took three men to disarm the ruffian before he could cause further injury.”
verb + noun
04. ruffian assault
“Witnesses testified that the ruffian assaulted the shopkeeper over a minor dispute.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. common ruffian
“He was dismissed as a common ruffian with no regard for social etiquette.”
adj + noun
06. drunken ruffian
“A drunken ruffian was escorted out of the tavern after starting a brawl.”
adj + noun
07. lawless ruffian
“The town was terrorized by a lawless ruffian who ignored all local authority.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. band of ruffians
“A band of ruffians roamed the docks, looking for easy targets to rob.”
noun + prep + noun
09. gang of ruffians
“The village was frequently raided by a notorious gang of ruffians.”
noun + prep + noun
10. behave like a ruffian
“Despite his expensive suit, he began to behave like a ruffian once he lost his temper.”
11. beset by ruffians
“The lone traveler was beset by ruffians on the outskirts of the city.”
12. fall in with ruffians
“The young man fell in with ruffians and soon found himself in trouble with the law.”
Usage
Often used in plural form to describe a gang or group of troublemakers.
Real-World Examples
“Rocco Pellegrini, a haberdasher, explained how it works: “Suppose you get phone call to prepare the money, and half an hour later some ruffian with a bulge under his jacket comes into the store and just stares at you.” “I entertain so strong an objection to the euphonious softening of Ruffian into Rough, which has lately become popular, that I restore the right word to the heading of this paper; the rather, as my object is to dwell upon the fact that the Ruffian is tolerated among us to an extent that goes beyond all unruffianly endurance.” Etymology
From Middle French rufian, from Italian ruffiano (“pimp”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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