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Ruffian vs Riffraff - What's the difference?

ruffian | riffraff |

As nouns the difference between ruffian and riffraff

is that ruffian is a scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person while riffraff is the rabble; crowds; the common people.

As a verb ruffian

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

As an adjective ruffian

is brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.

ruffian

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian ?
  • (obsolete) A pimp; a pander.
  • (obsolete) A lover; a paramour.
  • * Bishop Reynolds
    • He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, revelling with her ruffians .

    Synonyms

    * rogue * scamp

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
    • (Shakespeare)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.
    • ruffian rage
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    * ----

    riffraff

    English

    Alternative forms

    * riff-raff

    Noun

    (-)
  • The rabble; crowds; the common people.
    • They started charging a modest fee in an effort to keep the riffraff out.
  • low class, ghetto, indigent