how to pronounce ruffian

/ˈɹʌf.i.ən/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of ruffian is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

ruffian is pronounced in three syllables

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3. example pitch curve for pronunciation of ruffian

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video examples of ruffian pronunciation

An example use of ruffian in a speech by a native speaker of british english:

“… blow upon blow by a ruffian who knew of …”

meanings of ruffian

noun:

A pimp; a pander.
A lover; a paramour.
A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.

verb:

To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.

adjective:

Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.

ruffian frequency in english - C2+ level of CEFR

the word ruffian occurs in english on average 0.2 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2+ level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.