Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for ruffian. Search instead for rufaufbaus.
Definitions

ruffian

[ruhf-ee-uhn, ruhf-yuhn] / ˈrʌf i ən, ˈrʌf jən /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“Good Boy,” by Jan Komasa, has an arresting star turn by Anson Boon as a ruffian who gets chained up in a rich family’s cellar until he agrees to behave.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2025

The trial heard him described as a "ruffian" and a "street waif" who never stood still.

From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2025

In America, he's a ruffian who hunts with a bow and arrow.

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2023

Belisle’s imagined Shiffler is no ruffian, but a well-spoken, humble youth who wants only to care for his family and win the hand of Irene Freeman, a blue-eyed Catholic orphan.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2021

But the ruffian flung it at his head and then darted out into the darkness.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien


Vocabulary lists containing ruffian

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training