# ruffian

/ˈɹʌfiən/ (US) · /ɹˈʌfiən/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ruffian
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Synonyms

thug, hooligan, Bully

## Usage notes

- Often used in plural form to describe a gang or group of troublemakers.

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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.