ruffian

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ruffian" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a violent or lawless person, often associated with criminal behavior or rowdiness. Example: "The ruffian caused chaos in the streets, intimidating the local residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He faces being beaten back into his old life, or beating the deeply prejudiced system that even in apparently more enlightened times, never expects, or wants, an unruly, desensitised ruffian to transform into a transgressive, inspirational thinker.

The Guardian - Music

As for the woman who went to see her football team in the Eternal City and took a beating from the local police, she is Carly Lyes from Rusholme (though not a ruffian, if you know the old Smiths song) and, when United did eventually get in contact, it was not in the circumstances you might imagine.

The Guardian - Sport

As a 19-year-old, fair-haired ruffian from the Warsaw district of Czerniaków, Kazik did not look Jewish.

The Economist

An attempt to reconcile the reformists and the revolutionaries became hopeless by 1900: Sun was slighted as a secret-society ruffian, while the reformists were more influential among the Chinese in Japan and the Japanese.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A local ruffian jogs your arm and spills red wine over the lady's dress.

Independent

Vertbaudet Ski Boots: £17.25, vertbaudet.co.uk The rock-solid soles and toes may not suit all kids, but if your young ruffian loves nothing more than to kick his way through every snowdrift then they're a bargain.

Independent

Nowadays, it has a certain ruffian charm with hawkers trying to tempt kids and honeymooners with sweets, helium balloons, and horse and carriage rides.

Independent

Ransdell's supporters condemned Long as, among other things, a "little snivelling demagogue," a "blasphemer, a ruffian, and a cad," a "liar, a briber, an embezzler of the people's money," and a "counterfeit Mussolini".

The New Yorker

Respectable young women, Mackay declared, would rather party with flappers and their ruffian boyfriends in dark night clubs than pretend to live the superficially glossy, but, in reality, exceedingly dull social lives their parents prescribed for them.

The New Yorker

In his run-down boarding house, he's threatened by a ruffian, who says, on cue, "You think you're better than me?" Edwards — in a surprise that is no surprise — knocks out his assailant, demonstrating his virility.

The New Yorker

She turned to Tennessee and said, "Aren't you going to defend me, darling, against this ruffian?" I said I was going back to the hotel, and that anything I found I was going to flush down the toilet.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ruffian" when you want to emphasize the brutal and unreliable nature of a person, particularly when they engage in disruptive or intimidating behavior. Consider the historical or literary context, as the word carries a slightly old-fashioned feel.

Common error

Avoid using "ruffian" in overly formal or modern contexts where a more contemporary term like "thug" or "hooligan" might be more appropriate. The archaic feel of "ruffian" can sometimes sound out of place.

Linguistic Context

The word "ruffian" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a person who is brutal, lawless, or rowdy. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something characterized by brutality, like "ruffian rage". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ruffian" is a noun, and occasionally an adjective, used to describe a brutal, unreliable, or lawless person or something characterized by brutality. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in English. While it carries a slightly archaic feel, "ruffian" remains a viable option for descriptive writing, particularly in news, media, and historical contexts. Alternative terms such as "hooligan", "thug", and "scoundrel" may be more common in contemporary usage depending on the specific nuance intended. Usage frequency is common, and authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate consistent and appropriate application. When aiming for modern or formal styles, carefully consider if a more updated synonym would be better suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hooligan

Implies rowdy or destructive behavior, often associated with sports fans or gang activity.

thug

Suggests a violent and brutal person, often involved in criminal activities.

scoundrel

Indicates a dishonest or unscrupulous person, though not necessarily violent.

rascal

Describes a mischievous or playful troublemaker, often with a lighthearted connotation.

rogue

Suggests a dishonest or unprincipled person who operates outside the bounds of societal norms.

yob

A British slang term for a boisterous and aggressive youth.

rowdy

Characterizes someone noisy and disorderly, often in a public setting.

bully

Someone who uses their strength or power to intimidate or oppress others.

tough

Implies a resilient and formidable individual, often associated with a hardened exterior.

roughneck

Describes a boisterous or uncouth person, often involved in manual labor.

FAQs

How to use "ruffian" in a sentence?

You can use "ruffian" to describe someone who is a scoundrel or engages in brutal behavior. For example, "The "ruffian" caused chaos in the streets."

What can I say instead of "ruffian"?

You can use alternatives like "hooligan", "thug", or "scoundrel" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "ruffian" an outdated term?

"Ruffian" is somewhat archaic but still usable in modern English. Its usage can add a slightly old-fashioned or literary flavor to your writing. More common alternatives in contemporary usage might be "hooligan" or "thug".

What is the connotation of "ruffian"?

"Ruffian" carries a negative connotation, suggesting someone who is not only dishonest but also potentially violent and unreliable. The term implies a lack of moral principles and a willingness to engage in disruptive or harmful behavior.