ruff

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈrəf 

variants or ruffe

: a small freshwater European perch (Gynocephalus cernua synonym Acerina cernua)

ruff

2 of 4

noun (2)

1

: a large round collar of pleated muslin or linen worn by men and women of the late 16th and early 17th centuries

2

: a fringe or frill of long hairs or feathers growing around or on the neck of an animal

3

: a common Eurasian sandpiper (Calidris pugnax synonym Philomachus pugnax) whose male during the breeding season has a large ruff of erectile feathers on the neck

ruffed

ˈrəft 

adjective

Illustration of ruff

• ruff 1

ruff

3 of 4

verb

ruffed; ruffing; ruffs

intransitive verb

: to take a trick with a trump

transitive verb

: to play a trump on (a card previously led or played)

ruff

4 of 4

noun (3)

: the act of trumping

Examples of ruff in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rich with historical details like puff sleeves, ruffs and lace collars, his creations were immortalized in period paintings such as a towering portrait of New York social arbiter Mrs. Astor by Carolus-Duran, which was prominently displayed in the reception room of her Fifth Avenue mansion. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 7 May 2025

Up close, the marigold has a glowing ruff that is almost decadent. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025

Verb

One of the best things about the Super Bowl is the annual counterprogramming, in which the most adorable players ever engage in their own showdown and really ruff up the competition. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 14 Jan. 2025

When Louie led high diamonds, hoping to pitch his club loser, West ruffed the third diamond and led a club to East. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English ruf

Noun (2)

probably back-formation from ruffle

Verb

Middle French roffler

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (3)

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ruff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• scruff

Kids Definition

ruff

noun

ˈrəf

1

: a large round collar of pleated muslin or linen worn by men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries

2

: a fringe of long hairs or feathers growing around or on the neck of an animal

ruffed

ˈrəft

adjective