ruffled

adjective

ruf·​fled ˈrə-fəld 

1

: affected by a loss of calmness or composure

… he is reserved and gracious, though gets a bit ruffled when asked about things he considers too personal …

—Rhonda Shafner

"He never got upset, never got ruffled," Colonel William Peoples, one of his former commanders, recalls.

—Barry Werth

2

a

: adorned or trimmed with ruffles

They begin with a fiesta of old-time flamenco style in old-time heavy, ruffled costumes.

—Elizabeth Zimmer

But she had lost some of Todd's starchy look, and the tank top and shorts she was wearing suited her better than the ruffled things she'd favored as a child.

—Deborah Eisenberg

b(1)

of a plant : having flowers or leaves with wavy edges

ruffled gladiolas

(2)

of a flower, petal, or leaf : having wavy edges

ruffled rose petals

ruffled kale leaves

Moss rose (Portulaca grandifolia) loves the sun and is a tough beauty with satiny, ruffled flowers and a drought-resistant nature.

—Irene Virag

c

of a bird : having the feathers erected in or like a ruff see ruff entry 2 sense 2

a ruffled owl

Examples of ruffled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Either way, its ruffled cap sleeves and airy feel are what set it apart. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Madonna, who championed the underwear as outerwear trend in the 1990s, also came under fire after wearing a Dolce & Gabbana corseted top and ruffled satin bloomers for a surprise concert in Times Square earlier this month. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 June 2026

Carrie Underwood turned heads in an all-denim romper with dramatic, oversized puff sleeves and ruffled illusion shorts. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 28 June 2026

This summer’s World Cup has so far ruffled feathers stateside over extreme ticket prices and visa concerns. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing ruffled

• ruffled the feathers of

Rhymes for ruffled

• muffled
• shuffled
• unruffled