Definition

To play a higher card than another player in a card game, thereby winning the trick.

Example

In the last round, she managed to overruff her opponent and take the lead.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see how I overruff my opponent in that last round?

Yeah, that was impressive! I didn’t expect that move.

Thanks! I thought it would be a good strategy to overruff and catch him off guard.

It definitely worked — you played really well!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Overruff → The word is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or beyond) and "ruff" (from the card game term meaning to trump or outplay). The term "overruff" refers to the act of trumping an opponent's card with a higher trump card, thus exceeding or going beyond their play.

Memory Tip

Think of 'over-' meaning excessively and 'ruff' as a card play — so overruff means to exceed someone's play in a card game.

Visually Confused Words