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1

ruffle

play
verb ruf·fle \ˈrə-fəl\

Definition of ruffle

ruffled

;

ruffling

play \-f(ə-)liŋ\
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1a :  roughen, abradeb :  trouble, vex is not ruffled by such barbs — Bruce Anderson

  3. 2 :  to erect in or like a ruff :  to cause to rise or bristle a bird ruffling its feathers

  4. 3a :  to flip through ruffle the pages of a bookb :  shuffle

  5. 4 :  to make into a ruffle

  6. intransitive verb

  7. :  to become ruffled their dispositions ruffle perceptibly — Life

See ruffle defined for English-language learners

See ruffle defined for kids

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Examples of ruffle in a Sentence

  1. Her hair was ruffled by the wind.

  2. He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Origin and Etymology of ruffle

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple


First Known Use: 14th century

ruffle Synonyms

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
2

ruffle

noun ruf·fle

Definition of ruffle

  1. 1 :  commotion, brawl

  2. 2 :  a state or cause of irritation

  3. 3a :  a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edgeb :  2ruff 2

  4. 4 :  an unevenness or disturbance of surface :  ripple

ruffly

play \ˈrə-f(ə-)lē\ adjective

1534

First Known Use of ruffle

1534

3

ruffle

noun ruf·fle

Definition of ruffle

  1. :  a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

Origin and Etymology of ruffle

ruff a drumbeat


First Known Use: circa 1802

Phrases Related to RUFFLE

Related Phrases

RUFFLE Defined for English Language Learners

ruffle

play
verb

Definition of ruffle for English Language Learners

  • : to move or lift (something) so that it is no longer smooth

  • : to make (someone) irritated, annoyed, worried, etc.

RUFFLE Defined for Kids

1

ruffle

play
verb ruf·fle \ˈrə-fəl\

Definition of ruffle for Students

ruffled

;

ruffling

  1. 1 :  to move or lift so as to disturb the smoothness of The waters of Bird Lake were ruffled by the strong, mighty wind … — E. B. White, The Trumpet of the Swan

  2. 2 :  2trouble 1, vex You're so calm. Nothing ever ruffles you.

2

ruffle

play
noun ruf·fle

Definition of ruffle for Students

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

Learn More about ruffle

  1. See words that rhyme with ruffle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ruffle Spanish Central: Translation of ruffle Nglish: Translation of ruffle for Spanish speakers

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Examples: ruffle in a Sentence