ruffle

¹ruf·fle

verb \ˈrə-fəl\

ruf·fledruf·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of RUFFLE

transitive verb

1

a : roughen, abrade

b : trouble, vex <is not ruffled by such barbs — Bruce Anderson>

2

: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff

3

a : to flip through (as pages)

b : shuffle

4

: to make into a ruffle

intransitive verb

: to become ruffled <their dispositions ruffle perceptibly — Life>

Examples of RUFFLE

1. Her hair was ruffled by the wind.
2. He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Origin of RUFFLE

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RUFFLE

Synonyms

aggravate, annoy, bother, bug, burn (up), chafe, eat, exasperate, frost, gall, get, grate, gripe, hack (off), irk, itch, nark [British], nettle, peeve, persecute, pique, put out, rasp, rile, irritate, spite, vex

Related Words

hassle, heckle; nag; inflame (also enflame), provoke, rouse; badger, bait, bullyrag (also ballyrag), devil, hagride, harass, harry, pester, plague, tease; anger, antagonize, enrage, incense, infuriate, madden, rankle, roil; agitate, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, distress, exercise, freak (out), fret, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, worry; affront, insult, miff, offend, outrage

Near Antonyms

appease, conciliate, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, propitiate; delight, gladden, gratify, please, satisfy; assure, cheer, comfort, console, content, quiet, reassure, solace, soothe

Rhymes with RUFFLE

duffel, muffle, scuffle, shuffle, snuffle, truffle

²ruffle

noun

Definition of RUFFLE

1

: commotion, brawl

2

: a state or cause of irritation

3

a : a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b : ²ruff 2

4

: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple

— ruf·fly \ˈrə-f(ə-)lē\ adjective

First Known Use of RUFFLE

1534

Rhymes with RUFFLE

scuffle, shuffle, snuffle

³ruffle

noun

Definition of RUFFLE

: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

Origin of RUFFLE

ruff a drumbeat

First Known Use: circa 1802