How Do You Spell RUFF?

Pronunciation: [ɹˈʌf] (IPA)

The word "ruff" can be spelled as "r-u-f-f." The IPA phonetic transcription for "ruff" is /rʌf/. The "r" sound is represented by the symbol /r/, which is pronounced in the back of the mouth with the tongue pulled back. The "u" sound is represented by the symbol /ʌ/, which is pronounced in the middle of the mouth with the tongue relaxed. The "f" sound is represented by the symbol /f/, which is pronounced by blowing air out of the mouth while biting the bottom lip.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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RUFF Meaning and Definition

  1. Ruff is a noun and can refer to multiple definitions depending on the context. One primary definition of the term "ruff" relates to a type of collar worn around the neck, particularly found in clothing during the Elizabethan era. It was composed of pleated or frilled fabric, often made of linen or lace, encircling the neck and extending outwards in a wide, decorative manner. Ruffs were commonly worn as a fashionable accessory, especially by wealthy individuals.

    In another sense, "ruff" can refer to a collar-like anatomical feature found in certain animals. It is characterized by distinctive fur or feathers that surround the neck, creating a conspicuous display. For instance, male birds such as the ruff bird exhibit a ruff during courtship displays to attract mates or establish dominance.

    Additionally, "ruff" can be a term used in the game of bridge. In this context, it refers to a contract or bid made in the trump suit that surpasses the previous bid, indicating a higher number of tricks a player aims to win.

    Furthermore, "ruff" can also function as a verb, particularly in card games like whist or bridge, describing the action of playing a trump card to win a trick when unable to follow suit. This move is often employed strategically to gain an advantage over opponents.

    Overall, "ruff" demonstrates a versatile usage, with various meanings ranging from fashion to anatomy, and even card games.

  2. • A collar of plaited or rumpled linen; anything puckered or plaited; a species of shore-birds having long feathers on the neck which stand out as ruffs were formerly worn; a variety of pigeon.
    • In Scot., to beat with the hands or feet, or with both, in token of applause; to trump any other suit of the cards at whist.
    • A beating with the hands and feet as expressive of approbation; a roll of the drum.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for RUFF *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for RUFF

Etymology of RUFF

The word "ruff" has an interesting etymology. It originated from Middle English "ruffe", which can be traced back to the Old Norse word "hrúfa" meaning "coarse, shaggy hair". The Old Norse term "hrúfa" eventually evolved into the Old English word "hrūfe", referring to the neck or frill of an animal. Over time, this term was specifically adopted to describe the distinctive neck frill of certain birds, such as the European ruff, a type of bird known for the elaborate, ruffled feathers around its neck. Thus, the word "ruff" came to be associated with this particular collar-like adornment, and this usage has persisted to refer to various types of collars, frills, or ruffles in modern English.

Similar spelling words for RUFF

Plural form of RUFF is RUFFS

Conjugate verb Ruff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have ruffed
you would have ruffed
he/she/it would have ruffed
we would have ruffed
they would have ruffed

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been ruffing
you would have been ruffing
he/she/it would have been ruffing
we would have been ruffing
they would have been ruffing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would ruff
you would ruff
he/she/it would ruff
we would ruff
they would ruff

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be ruffing
you would be ruffing
he/she/it would be ruffing
we would be ruffing
they would be ruffing

FUTURE

I will ruff
you will ruff
he/she/it will ruff
we will ruff
they will ruff

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be ruffing
you will be ruffing
he/she/it will be ruffing
we will be ruffing
they will be ruffing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have ruffed
you will have ruffed
he/she/it will have ruffed
we will have ruffed
they will have ruffed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been ruffing
you will have been ruffing
he/she/it will have been ruffing
we will have been ruffing
they will have been ruffing

IMPERATIVE

we Let´s ruff

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was ruffing
you were ruffing
he/she/it was ruffing
we were ruffing
they were ruffing

PAST PARTICIPLE

ruffed

PAST PERFECT

I had ruffed
you had ruffed
he/she/it had ruffed
we had ruffed
they had ruffed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been ruffing
you had been ruffing
he/she/it had been ruffing
we had been ruffing
they had been ruffing

PRESENT

I ruff
you ruff
he/she/it ruffs
we ruff
they ruff

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am ruffing
you are ruffing
he/she/it is ruffing
we are ruffing
they are ruffing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

ruffing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have ruffed
you have ruffed
he/she/it has ruffed
we have ruffed
they have ruffed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been ruffing
you have been ruffing
he/she/it has been ruffing
we have been ruffing
they have been ruffing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it ruff

SIMPLE PAST

I ruffed
you ruffed
he/she/it ruffed
we ruffed
they ruffed

Infographic

Correct spelling for ruff
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