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

For the big day, Diana wore an ivory gown designed by Elizabeth and David Emanuel that was created over the course of three months and featured a 25-foot-long train, puffy sleeves, a ruffled neckline and lace trim. —Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 12 June 2024

The cut-out detail gives the classic triangle top some intrigue, while the ruffled waistband does the same for the high-waisted bottoms. —Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 11 June 2024

Julia arrives wearing a gorgeous crop top, a floor-length skirt with a ruffled slit all the way up the leg, and a pair of battered cowboy boots. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2024

The top of the dress is designed with short sleeves, a V-neck, and a belt that ties around the waist, while the bottom features a wrap design, a ruffled hem, and a high spit starting at the thigh. —Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2024

But the cost of no ruffled feathers is the baggage of guilt and stress for many of these workers. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 May 2024

Cupped white blossoms deepen to a yellow base with ruffled inner petals. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 May 2024

For the big event, the actress wore a semi-sheer dusty blue gown with a ruffled cape. —Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 19 May 2024

From lightweight, ruffled shorts that double as a skirt to shorts with crisp pleats and double-breasted buttons, start revamping your summer wardrobe, with prices starting at just $12. —Euna Park, Southern Living, 19 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing ruffled

• ruffled the feathers of