# ruff

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹʌf/ · frequency rank #27,272

## Definitions
1. A circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560s–1620s).
2. Anything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill.
3. Senses relating to animals.
4. Senses relating to animals.
5. Senses relating to animals.
6. A collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion.
7. An exhibition of haughtiness or pride.
8. Tumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure.

## Etymology
Clipping of ruffle, or possibly from rough.

## Easily confused with
- **run** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-run)
- **rug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rug)
- **rum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rum)
- **rut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rut)
- **Rus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rus)
- **rule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rule)
- **runs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-runs)
- **rush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rush)
- **ruin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-ruin)
- **ruth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-ruth)
- **rust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rust)
- **Russ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-russ)
- **rung** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rung)
- **ruse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-ruse)
- **rump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rump)
- **rune** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rune)
- **Rumi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rumi)
- **rusk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rusk)
- **Ruhr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-ruhr)
- **Rufus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-rufus)

## Common misspellings (4)
`rfuf`, `rruff`, `ruf`, `urff`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ruff