ruff
rʌf
Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of ruff - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
animalnatural growth of feathers or fur around neck
  • The lion's ruff was thick and majestic.
collar frill mane
2.
clothingDatedUKcircular frill worn around the neckDatedUK
  • The portrait shows a nobleman with a ruff.
collar neckband

Verb

1.
musictr./intr.TECH.play a short drum flourish made of quick, repeated strokestr./intr.TECH.
  • The drummer ruffed to start the parade.
drum roll drumbeat
2.
fashiontr.Datedshape fabric into a circular frilltr.Dated
  • She ruffed the collar for the costume.
gather pleat
3.
falconrytr.TECH.hit prey without holding ittr.TECH.
  • The hawk ruffed the rabbit during the hunt.
hit smack strike
Add a suggestion |

Images of ruff

  • ruff: circular frill worn around the neck
    circular frill worn around the neck

Origin of ruff

Middle English, ruffe (ruffle)

Terms with ruff included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
animal
ruff of hair or feathers on animals
male bird
brightly colored pheasant with a crest and ruff
clothing
type of ruff worn in the 16th century
animal
skunk with a large neck ruff native to Mexico and southwestern US
birds
female of the ruff species of bird

Examples of ruff in a sentence

  • Birdwatchers admired the owl's distinctive ruff.
  • She wore a ruff for the costume party.
  • The museum displayed an Elizabethan ruff.
  • She executed a perfect ruff to win the game.
  • His unexpected ruff changed the course of the match.
  • A male ruff strutted through the wet meadow.

View all translations of ruff

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:collerette, faire un roulement, ...
  2. German:Halskrause, wirbeln, ...
  3. Italian:gorgiera, battere un rullo, ...
  4. Spanish:gola, redoblar, ...
  5. Portuguese:juba, tocar, ...
  6. Chinese:鬃毛, 打鼓, ...
  7. Japanese:たてがみ, ラフを打つ, ...
  8. Arabic:طوق, عَزَفَ رَف, ...
  9. Hebrew:רַעְמָה, לְנַגֵּן רוֹל קַצָּר בְּתוּף, ...
  10. Russian:грива, играть риф, ...
  11. Ukrainian:грива, бити риф, ...
  12. Hindi:अयाल, रफ बजाना, ...
Browse the dictionary entries starting with “r”:

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery