nounπShareA circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560sβ1620s)."The actress wore a large, white ruff around her neck, making her look like a queen from the Elizabethan era. "appearancestylehistorywearcultureChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAnything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill."The Elizabethan queen in the history book wore a large, white ruff around her neck. "appearancestylewearChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareSenses relating to animals."The dog's thick, white ruff protected its neck from the cold wind. "animalbiologyChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion."The carpenter added a ruff to the wooden shaft to keep it from slipping out of the machine. "machineparttechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn exhibition of haughtiness or pride."Her ruff at being passed over for the promotion was obvious to everyone in the office. "attitudecharacterChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareTumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure."The school principal couldn't tolerate the ruff that erupted in the cafeteria during lunch. "actionattitudeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo shape (fabric, etc.) into a ruff; to adorn (a garment, etc.) with a ruff."She decided to ruff the neckline of her blouse with delicate lace for a more elegant look. "stylewearappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a falcon, hawk, etc.: to hit (the prey) without fixing or grabbing hold of it."The inexperienced falcon, still learning to hunt, would often ruff the rabbit instead of seizing it properly. "animalbirdactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo ruffle; to disorder."The strong wind began to ruff my hair as I walked to school. "appearancestyleChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a bird: to ruffle its feathers."The robin hopped onto the branch and began to ruff its feathers, shaking off the morning dew. "birdanimalactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo boast, to brag."He likes to ruff about his high test scores, even though others did well too. "attitudecharacterlanguagecommunicationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo speak in a loud and domineering manner; to bluster, to swagger."The manager would often ruff at his employees, yelling about missed deadlines and making them feel small. "communicationcharacterlanguageattitudeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareArripis georgianus, a fish found in cool waters off the southern coast of Australia; the Australian herring or tommy ruff."The fisherman caught a ruff while out on the boat. "fishanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA bottom-dwelling carnivorous fish of the family Sparidae found in temperate and tropical waters; a porgy or sea bream."The fisherman was pleased to find a large ruff among his catch of the day. "fishanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareGymnocephalus cernua, a small Eurasian freshwater fish."The aquarium included several common species, such as goldfish and guppies, but also a less familiar fish called a ruff. "fishanimalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareOther species in the same genus."While the sandpiper is known for its drab coloring, the ruff, a related bird, boasts a much more varied and extravagant plumage, illustrating that even within the same genus, there can be striking differences. "animalbiologybirdChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAn instance of ruffing, or an opportunity to ruff, when unable to follow suit."During the card game, John had a ruff, since he couldn't follow the spades suit. "gameChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA game similar to whist and its predecessor."My grandfather enjoyed playing ruff with his friends at the senior center. "gameentertainmentChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo play a trump card to a trick when unable to follow suit (that is, to play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card)."My sister had no hearts in her hand, so she ruffed the trick with her only spade. "gameChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareEspecially in the form ruff out: to defeat (a card, etc.) by ruffing, thus establishing the master card in the suit led."In the card game, he ruffed out his opponent's lead card, establishing the ace of spades as the master card. "gamesportChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruffle."The snare drum played a soft ruff before the band launched into the main melody. "soundmusicChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo beat a ruff or ruffle, as on a drum."The drummer began to ruff a complex rhythm on his snare drum, building anticipation for the song. "musicsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareOf a drum, etc.: to have a ruff or ruffle beaten on it."The drummer began to ruff the snare drum, creating a tense, anticipatory sound before the singer started. "musicsoundChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
interjectionπShareThe bark of a dog; arf, woof."I heard a "ruff!" from under the porch - it must be the neighbor's dog. "animalsoundlanguagecommunicationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareNot smooth; uneven."The dog's fur felt ruff after playing in the mud. "appearancequalityChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareApproximate; hasty or careless; not finished."a rough estimate; a rough sketch of a building; a rough plan"qualitystyleChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareDifficult; trying."Being a teenager nowadays can be rough."attitudeconditionsituationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareCrude; unrefined"His manners are a bit rough, but he means well."qualitycharacterappearanceChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareViolent; not careful or subtle"This box has been through some rough handling."characterattitudeChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareLoud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating."a rough tone; a rough voice"soundqualityChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareNot polished; uncut; said of a gem."a rough diamond"qualityappearancematerialChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareHarsh-tasting."rough wine"foodqualitysensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareSomewhat ill; sick"I felt a bit ruff this morning, so I stayed home from school. "medicineconditionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
adjectiveπShareUnwell due to alcohol; hungover""Mark was feeling quite ruff this morning after the party last night, so he stayed home from work." "conditionbodymedicinedrinksensationChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading