ruffian

noun

ruf·​fi·​an ˈrə-fē-ən How to pronounce ruffian (audio)
: a brutal person : bully
ruffian adjective
ruffianism noun
ruffianly adjective

Examples of ruffian in a Sentence

a gang of ruffians preying upon people who ventured into that section of town
Recent Examples on the Web Then again, the fight scene did that on its own, sounding more refined than ruffian. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024 Despite their reputation as ruffians from the sticks, RSF troops are battle tested, disciplined, and armed to the teeth. Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 27 Apr. 2023 And then there was Post Malone, the rapping, rocking everyman who has replaced Kid Rock as America’s favorite ruffian. Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2024 Read More: Fans React to Beyoncé's New Album Cowboy Carter Once seen as ruffians and pushed to the outskirts of Victorian society, cowboys were reinvented as rugged cultural heroes in the American consciousness in the early 20th century through dime novels, rodeos, movies, and more. TIME, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ruffian 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruffian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French rufian

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruffian was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near ruffian

Cite this Entry

“Ruffian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffian. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ruffian

noun
ruf·​fi·​an ˈrəf-ē-ən How to pronounce ruffian (audio)
: a brutal person : bully
ruffian adjective
ruffianly adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ruffian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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