Definition of ruff - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
animalnatural growth of feathers or fur around neck
- The lion's ruff was thick and majestic.
2.
clothingDated UK circular frill worn around the neckDated UK
- The portrait shows a nobleman with a ruff.
3.
gameTECH. act of taking a trick with a trumpTECH.
- He won the round with a clever ruff.
4.
birdRare bird with a distinctive neck ruffRare
- The ruff displays its feathers during mating season.
5.
musicTECH. low vibrating drum beatTECH.
- The drummer played a soft ruff.
Verb
1.
musictr./intr. TECH. play a short drum flourish made of quick, repeated strokestr./intr. TECH.
- The drummer ruffed to start the parade.
2.
fashiontr. Dated shape fabric into a circular frilltr. Dated
- She ruffed the collar for the costume.
3.
falconrytr. TECH. hit prey without holding ittr. TECH.
- The hawk ruffed the rabbit during the hunt.
Images of ruff

circular frill worn around the neck
Origin of ruff
Middle English, ruffe (ruffle)
Terms with ruff included in their meaning
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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.
The ruff migrates south when winter approaches. The ruff added depth to the composition. A quick ruff signaled the start of the parade. He ruffed energetically during the solo. The musician ruffed to add flair to the performance. She expertly ruffed the edges of the fabric. The designer ruffed the sleeves for a vintage look. The falcon ruffed the pigeon mid-air. During training, the bird ruffed the target.
View all translations of ruff
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:collerette, faire un roulement, ...
- German:Halskrause, wirbeln, ...
- Italian:gorgiera, battere un rullo, ...
- Spanish:gola, redoblar, ...
- Portuguese:juba, tocar, ...
- Chinese:鬃毛, 打鼓, ...
- Japanese:たてがみ, ラフを打つ, ...
- Arabic:طوق, عَزَفَ رَف, ...
- Hebrew:רַעְמָה, לְנַגֵּן רוֹל קַצָּר בְּתוּף, ...
- Russian:грива, играть риф, ...
- Ukrainian:грива, бити риф, ...
- Hindi:अयाल, रफ बजाना, ...
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