Ruff vs. Rough — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Ruff refers to a large, stiff collar from the 16th and 17th centuries or a species of bird, while rough means having an uneven surface or being coarse in nature.
Difference Between Ruff and Rough
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Ruff is a term historically associated with fashion, specifically a large, elaborately pleated collar that was popular in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. This garment piece is characterized by its intricate design and the craftsmanship required to create its distinctive appearance. On the other hand, rough describes textures or surfaces that are uneven, coarse, or jagged, lacking smoothness or refinement. This adjective can apply to physical objects, like a rough road, or abstract concepts, like a rough day, indicating a lack of smooth progression or ease.
While ruff has a very specific reference in both history and ornithology, indicating either a fashion item or a bird species known for its distinctive breeding plumage, rough has a broad range of applications and can describe anything from physical sensations to metaphorical experiences. For example, "rough fabric" indicates a texture that is uncomfortable or coarse to the touch, whereas a "rough draft" refers to an initial, unpolished version of a document or plan.
In terms of usage, ruff is a niche term with limited application outside historical or specific biological contexts. It's not commonly used in everyday language unless one is discussing historical fashion, bird species, or using it in a specialized field. Rough, however, is widely used in various contexts to describe physical textures, difficult experiences, or the preliminary stages of work, making it a versatile term in the English language.
The historical significance of the ruff as a status symbol and its association with elegance and social standing contrasts sharply with the general application of rough, which often conveys a lack of refinement or polish. While the ruff represents a meticulous and elaborate fashion statement, rough suggests something more natural, unrefined, or in need of further development or smoothing.
Despite their phonetic similarity, ruff and rough occupy distinctly different places in the English language, with the former having a precise and historical significance and the latter serving as a versatile descriptor for a wide range of conditions, textures, and experiences. This contrast underscores the richness and diversity of English vocabulary, where even closely sounding words can have vastly different meanings and connotations.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A large, stiff collar from the 16th and 17th centuries; a species of bird.
Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or refined.
Context
Historical fashion; ornithology.
Textures, experiences, preliminary works.
Usage
Specific, limited to certain contexts.
Broad, applicable in various contexts.
Connotation
Elegance, status, specificity.
Lack of refinement, difficulty, preliminary.
Example Use
"The portrait showed a nobleman wearing a ruff."
"He found the rough texture of the fabric unpleasant."
Compare with Definitions
Ruff
A stiff, pleated collar worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The painting depicted a woman adorned with a large ruff, symbolizing her high social status.
Rough
Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth.
The rough bark of the tree scratched her hand.
Ruff
The act of fluffing up feathers, as done by a bird.
The bird ruffed its feathers to appear larger to its rival.
Rough
(Of sea or weather) turbulent, stormy.
The sailors prepared for a rough night as the storm approached.
Ruff
A species of bird known for its ornamental collar of feathers.
During mating season, the male ruff displays its impressive plumage to attract a mate.
Rough
Difficult or unpleasant conditions or experiences.
He's had a rough time since losing his job.
Ruff
A card game where a player may trump or discard instead of following suit.
He decided to ruff his last spade, winning the trick.
Rough
In a crude or unfinished state.
The rough draft of her novel was promising, yet needed refinement.
Ruff
To cheat or swindle, used in historical contexts.
He was known to ruff his way through card games, much to the chagrin of his opponents.
Rough
Lacking manners or refinement.
His rough speech made it clear he was not accustomed to formal gatherings.
Ruff
A projecting starched frill worn round the neck, characteristic of Elizabethan and Jacobean costume
An Elizabethan ruff
Rough
Having an uneven or irregular surface; not smooth or level
Her skin felt dry and rough
They had to carry the victim across the rough, stony ground
Ruff
A projecting or conspicuously coloured ring of feathers or hair round the neck of a bird or mammal
My nape stirred like the ruff of a dog in a thunderstorm
A ruff of long pointed feathers
Rough
(of a person or their behaviour) not gentle; violent or boisterous
Pushchairs should be capable of withstanding rough treatment
Ruff
A pigeon of a domestic breed with a ruff of feathers on its neck.
Rough
Not finished tidily or decoratively; plain and basic
The customers sat at rough wooden tables
Ruff
A North Eurasian wading bird, the male of which has a large variously coloured ruff and ear tufts in the breeding season, used in display.
Rough
(of a voice) harsh and rasping
His voice was rough with barely suppressed fury
Ruff
An edible marine fish of Australian inshore waters that is related to the Australian salmon.
Rough
Not exact or precise; approximate
It'll cost about £50, at a rough guess
They had a rough idea of when the murder took place
Ruff
Variant spelling of ruffe
Rough
Difficult and unpleasant or unfair
The first day of a job is rough on everyone
The teachers gave me a rough time because my image didn't fit
Ruff
An act of ruffing or opportunity to ruff
He gave his partner a spade ruff
Rough
In a manner that lacks gentleness; harshly or violently
Treat 'em rough but treat 'em fair
Ruff
One of the basic patterns (rudiments) of drumming, consisting of a single note preceded by either two grace notes played with the other stick (double-stroke ruff or drag) or three grace notes played with alternating sticks (four-stroke ruff).
Rough
A disreputable and violent person
The rear of the column was attacked by roughs
Ruff
(in bridge, whist, and similar card games) play a trump in a trick which was led in a different suit
Declarer ruffed and then led a heart
Rough
(on a golf course) longer grass around the fairway and the green
His second shot lay in the rough
Ruff
A stiffly starched frilled or pleated circular collar of lace, muslin, or other fine fabric, worn by men and women in the 1500s and 1600s.
Rough
A preliminary sketch
I did a rough to work out the scale of the lettering
Ruff
A distinctive collarlike projection around the neck, as of feathers on a bird or of fur on a mammal.
Rough
An uncut precious stone
Miners discovered one of the biggest diamond roughs in history
Ruff
A migratory sandpiper (Philomachus pugnax) of the Eastern Hemisphere, the male of which has collarlike, erectile feathers around the neck during the breeding season.
Rough
Work or shape (something) in a rough, preliminary fashion
Flat surfaces of wood are roughed down
Ruff
The playing of a trump card when one cannot follow suit.
Rough
Make uneven
Rough up the icing with a palette knife
Ruff
An old game resembling whist.
Rough
Live in discomfort with only basic necessities
She'd had to rough it alone in digs
Ruff
Also ruffe Any of several marine fishes of the family Centrolophidae, usually having spiny dorsal fins.
Rough
Having a surface marked by irregularities, protuberances, or ridges; not smooth
Planed the board so it was no longer rough.
Ruff
A small edible fish (Arripis georgianus) of coastal and estuarine waters of southern Australia. Also called roughy.
Rough
Coarse or shaggy to the touch
A rough scratchy blanket.
Ruff
Variant of ruffe.
Rough
Difficult to travel over or through
The rough terrain of the highlands.
Ruff
See ruffle2.
Rough
Characterized by violent motion; turbulent
Rough waters.
Ruff
To trump or play a trump.
Rough
Difficult to endure or live through, especially because of harsh or inclement weather
A rough winter.
Ruff
A circular frill or ruffle on a garment, especially a starched, fluted frill at the neck in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (1560s–1620s).
Rough
Unpleasant or difficult
Had a rough time during the exam.
Ruff
Anything formed with plaits or flutings like a frill.
Rough
Characterized by or done with violence or forcefulness
A sport noted for rough play.
A package that received rough handling.
Ruff
Senses relating to animals.
Rough
Boisterous, disorderly, or given to violence
Ran with a rough crowd.
Ruff
Philomachus pugnax (syn. Calidris pugnax), a gregarious, medium-sized wading bird of Eurasia; specifically, a male of the species which develops a distinctive ruff of feathers and ear tufts during mating season (the female is called a reeve).
Rough
Characterized by violence or crime
Lives in a rough neighborhood.
Ruff
(ornithology) A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers on or around the neck of a bird.
Rough
Lacking polish or finesse
Rough manners.
Ruff
(zoology) A collar of lengthened or distinctively coloured fur on or around the neck of an animal.
Rough
Harsh to the ear
A rough raspy sound.
Ruff
(engineering) A collar on a shaft or other piece to prevent endwise motion.
Rough
Being in a natural state
Rough diamonds.
Ruff
(obsolete) An exhibition of haughtiness or pride.
Rough
Not perfected, completed, or fully detailed
A rough drawing.
Rough carpentry.
Ruff
(obsolete) Tumultuous or wanton conduct or procedure.
Rough
The surface or part of something that is uneven or coarse
Felt the rough of his chin.
Ruff
Alternative spelling of ruffe.
Rough
Rugged overgrown terrain.
Ruff
Arripis georgianus, a fish found in cool waters off the southern coast of Australia; the Australian herring or tommy ruff.
Rough
(Sports) The area of a golf hole in which the grass is left unmowed or is cut to a length longer than that of the fairway.
Ruff
(obsolete) A bottom-dwelling carnivorous fish of the family Sparidae found in temperate and tropical waters; a porgy or sea bream.
Rough
A disorderly, unrefined, or unfinished state.
Ruff
An instance of ruffing, or an opportunity to ruff, when unable to follow suit.
Rough
A difficult or disagreeable aspect or condition of something
Observed politics in the rough when working as an intern on Capitol Hill.
Ruff
(obsolete) A game similar to whist and its predecessor.
Rough
A person given to violent or disorderly behavior; a rowdy.
Ruff
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruffle.
Rough
To treat roughly or with physical violence
Roughed up his opponent.
Ruff
(transitive) To shape (fabric, etc.) into a ruff; to adorn (a garment, etc.) with a ruff.
Rough
(Sports) To treat (an opposing player) with unnecessary roughness, often in violation of the rules
Was ejected from the game for roughing the passer.
Ruff
Of a falcon, hawk, etc.: to hit (the prey) without fixing or grabbing hold of it.
Rough
To prepare or indicate in an unfinished form
Rough out a house plan.
Ruff
To ruffle; to disorder.
Rough
In a rough manner; roughly
The engine began to run rough and faltered.
Ruff
Of a bird: to ruffle its feathers.
Rough
Not smooth; uneven.
Ruff
To boast, to brag.
Rough
Approximate; hasty or careless; not finished.
A rough estimate
A rough sketch of a building
A rough plan
Ruff
To speak in a loud and domineering manner; to bluster, to swagger.
Rough
Turbulent.
Rough sea
Ruff
(ambitransitive) To play a trump card to a trick when unable to follow suit (that is, when unable to play a card of the same suit as the previous or leading card).
Rough
Difficult; trying.
Being a teenager nowadays can be rough.
Ruff
(transitive) Especially in the form ruff out: to defeat (a card, etc.) by ruffing, thus establishing the master card in the suit led.
Rough
Crude; unrefined.
His manners are a bit rough, but he means well.
Ruff
(transitive) To beat a ruff or ruffle, as on a drum.
Rough
Worn; shabby; weather-beaten.
Ruff
(intransitive) Of a drum, etc.: to have a ruff or ruffle beaten on it.
Rough
Violent; not careful or subtle.
This box has been through some rough handling.
Ruff
The bark of a dog; arf, woof.
Rough
Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating.
A rough tone
A rough voice
Ruff
A game similar to whist, and the predecessor of it.
Rough
(of a gem) Not polished; uncut.
A rough diamond
Ruff
Something formed with plaits or flutings, like the collar of this name.
I reared this flower; . . . Soft on the paper ruff its leaves I spread.
Rough
Harsh-tasting.
Rough wine
Ruff
An exhibition of pride or haughtiness.
How many princes . . . in the ruff of all their glory, have been taken down from the head of a conquering army to the wheel of the victor's chariot!
Rough
Somewhat ill; sick; in poor condition.
Ruff
Wanton or tumultuous procedure or conduct.
To ruffle it out in a riotous ruff.
Rough
Unwell due to alcohol; hungover.
Ruff
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; a ruffle.
Rough
The unmowed part of a golf course.
Ruff
A collar on a shaft ot other piece to prevent endwise motion. See Illust. of Collar.
Rough
A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.
Ruff
A set of lengthened or otherwise modified feathers round, or on, the neck of a bird.
Rough
(cricket) A scuffed and roughened area of the pitch, where the bowler's feet fall, used as a target by spin bowlers because of its unpredictable bounce.
Ruff
A limicoline bird of Europe and Asia (Pavoncella pugnax, syn. Philomachus pugnax) allied to the sandpipers. The males during the breeding season have a large ruff of erectile feathers, variable in their colors, on the neck, and yellowish naked tubercles on the face. They are polygamous, and are noted for their pugnacity in the breeding season. The female is called reeve, or rheeve.
Rough
The raw material from which faceted or cabochon gems are created.
Ruff
A small freshwater European perch (Acerina vulgaris); - called also pope, blacktail, and stone perch, or striped perch.
Rough
A quick sketch, similar to a thumbnail but larger and more detailed, used for artistic brainstorming.
Ruff
To trump.
Rough
(obsolete) Boisterous weather.
Ruff
To ruffle; to disorder.
Rough
A piece inserted in a horseshoe to keep the animal from slipping.
Ruff
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
Rough
To create in an approximate form.
Rough in the shape first, then polish the details.
Ruff
To hit, as the prey, without fixing it.
Rough
(ice hockey) To commit the offense of roughing, i.e. to punch another player.
Ruff
To play a trump card at bridge; as, he ruffed his partner's ace.
Rough
To render rough; to roughen.
Ruff
A high tight collar
Rough
To break in (a horse, etc.), especially for military purposes.
Ruff
Common Eurasian sandpiper; male has an erectile ruff in breeding season
Rough
To endure primitive conditions.
To rough it
Ruff
The act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit
Rough
(transitive) To roughen a horse's shoes to keep the animal from slipping.
Ruff
Play a trump
Rough
In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.
Rough
Having inequalities, small ridges, or points, on the surface; not smooth or plain; as, a rough board; a rough stone; rough cloth.
Rough
Not polished; uncut; - said of a gem; as, a rough diamond.
More unequal than the roughest sea.
Rough
Hence, figuratively, lacking refinement, gentleness, or polish.
A fiend, a fury, pitiless and rough.
A surly boatman, rough as wayes or winds.
Rough
Marked by coarseness; shaggy; ragged; disordered; - said of dress, appearance, or the like; as, a rough coat.
Rough
Marked by severity or violence; harsh; hard; as, rough measures or actions.
On the rough edge of battle.
A quicker and rougher remedy.
Kind words prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious usage often produces.
Rough
Loud and hoarse; offensive to the ear; harsh; grating; - said of sound, voice, and the like; as, a rough tone; rough numbers.
Rough
Austere; harsh to the taste; as, rough wine.
He stayeth his rough wind.
Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.
Rough
Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate; a rough draught.
Rough
Produced offhand.
Rough
Boisterous weather.
Rough
A rude fellow; a coarse bully; a rowdy.
Contemplating the people in the rough.
Rough
In a rough manner; rudely; roughly.
Sleeping rough on the trenches, and dying stubbornly in their boats.
Rough
To render rough; to roughen.
Rough
To break in, as a horse, especially for military purposes.
Rough
To cut or make in a hasty, rough manner; - with out; as, to rough out a carving, a sketch.
Rough
The part of a golf course bordering the fairway where the grass is not cut short
Rough
Prepare in preliminary or sketchy form
Rough
Having or caused by an irregular surface;
Trees with rough bark
Rough ground
A rough ride
Rough skin
Rough blankets
His unsmooth face
Unsmooth writing
Rough
(of persons or behavior) lacking refinement or finesse;
She was a diamond in the rough
Rough manners
Rough
Not quite exact or correct;
The approximate time was 10 o'clock
A rough guess
A ballpark estimate
Rough
Full of hardship or trials;
The rocky road to success
They were having a rough time
Rough
Violently agitated and turbulent;
Boisterous winds and waves
The fierce thunders roar me their music
Rough weather
Rough seas
Rough
Unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound;
A gravelly voice
Rough
Ready and able to resort to force or violence;
Pugnacious spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance
They were rough and determined fighting men
Rough
Of the margin of a leaf shape; having the edge cut or fringed or scalloped
Rough
Not shaped by cutting or trimming;
An uncut diamond
Rough gemstones
Rough
Not carefully or expertly made;
Managed to make a crude splint
A crude cabin of logs with bark still on them
Rough carpentry
Rough
Not perfected;
A rough draft
A few rough sketches
Rough
Unpleasantly stern;
Wild and harsh country full of hot sand and cactus
The nomad life is rough and hazardous
Rough
With roughness or violence (`rough' is an informal variant for `roughly');
He was pushed roughly aside
They treated him rough
Rough
With rough motion as over a rough surface;
Ride rough
Common Curiosities
Are ruffs still worn today?
Ruffs are not commonly worn in contemporary fashion but may appear in historical reenactments, theatrical costumes, or fashion inspired by historical styles.
How does the meaning of rough vary in different contexts?
Rough can denote physical coarseness, difficulty or turbulence in experiences, crudeness in behavior, or the unrefined stages of creative work.
What does it mean when a bird "ruffs" its feathers?
When a bird "ruffs" its feathers, it fluffs them up, often as part of a display to appear larger or more attractive, or to regulate body temperature.
Can "rough" be used to describe personalities?
Yes, describing someone as "rough" can imply they are direct, possibly abrasive, and lack refinement in their manners or speech.
What is the historical significance of a ruff?
A ruff was a status symbol in the 16th and 17th centuries, indicating wealth and social standing due to its elaborate design and the expensive materials used.
Can rough refer to something other than physical texture?
Yes, rough can describe abstract concepts like experiences (a rough day) or the preliminary stages of work (a rough draft).
Is it possible to smooth out something that is described as rough?
Yes, something described as rough, such as a surface or a draft, can often be smoothed or refined through further work or treatment.
Do any animals other than the ruff bird have behaviors similar to "ruffing" their feathers?
Many bird species exhibit similar behaviors for various reasons, such as attracting mates, displaying aggression, or regulating body temperature.
How is the term "rough" used in sports?
In sports, "rough" can describe physical play that is aggressive or not strictly within the rules, or areas of a playing field that are not well-maintained.
How is "ruff" used in card games?
In card games, "to ruff" means to play a trump card instead of following suit, often turning the tide of the game.
Is the use of "rough" in describing sea conditions metaphorical?
The use of "rough" to describe sea conditions is literal, referring to turbulent, choppy waters that pose navigational challenges.
Can "rough" be used in a positive context?
Yes, "rough" can have a positive connotation in some contexts, such as describing a person's appealingly rugged characteristics or the exciting unpredictability of an adventure.
What materials were used to make ruffs in the 16th and 17th centuries?
Ruffs were typically made from fine linen or lace and were stiffened with starch to maintain their elaborate shapes.
What impact did ruffs have on European fashion trends beyond the 17th century?
While ruffs themselves fell out of fashion, they influenced European fashion through their demonstration of the elaborate ornamentation and rigid social hierarchies that persisted in varying forms in later fashion trends.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
