Ruffianly: meaning, definitions and examples

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ruffianly

 

[ หˆrษ™fฤ“ษ™nlฤ“ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior description

The term 'ruffianly' describes actions or behaviors that are cruel, violent, or disreputable. It conveys a sense of roughness or unlawfulness, often associated with a person who behaves like a ruffian. Such behavior is typically seen as aggressive or intimidating, lacking regard for social norms or the well-being of others. This word often paints a picture of someone who is not just unruly but also embodies a certain level of brutality or lawlessness.

Synonyms

boorish, rough, uncouth, violent

Examples of usage

  • The ruffianly gang ruled the streets with fear.
  • His ruffianly attitude earned him many enemies.
  • She dismissed his ruffianly behavior as just a phase.
  • The film depicted a ruffianly character as the antagonist.

Translations

Translations of the word "ruffianly" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น bรกrbaro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เฅเค‚เคกเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Raufbold

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ perusuh

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ัƒะปั–ะณะฐะฝััŒะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ chuligaล„ski

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็„กๆณ•่€…ใฎใ‚ˆใ†ใซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท voyou

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ gamberro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท serseri

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํญ๋ ฅ์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจู„ุทุฌูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ grรกzl

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ darebรกk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆตๆฐ“็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ huliganski

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ krappar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑาฑะทะฐา›ั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒœแƒ“แƒ˜แƒขแƒฃแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™lษ™duz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ bandido

Etymology

The word 'ruffian' comes from the late Middle English, derived from the Old French 'ruffian', which in turn comes from the Latin 'ruffus', meaning 'reddish', 'fiery'. Historically, it referred to a rough or uncouth person, particularly one engaged in criminal activity or disruptions of the peace. The use of 'ruffianly' as an adjective to describe actions characteristic of a ruffian likely emerged as society started to categorize behavioral norms, marking a distinction between acceptable behavior and that which was considered savage or unscrupulous. Over the centuries, the connotation of 'ruffianly' has maintained a connection to rough or brutish behavior, illustrating the persistent association of such actions with a lack of civility and moral standards.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,198, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.