ruffle

1 of 4

verb

ruf·​fle ˈrə-fəl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrə-f(ə-)liŋ  ; ruffles

transitive verb

1

a

: roughen, abrade

b

: trouble, vex

… is not ruffled by such barbs.

—Bruce Anderson

2

: to erect in or like a ruff : to cause to rise or bristle

a bird ruffling its feathers

3

a

: to flip through

ruffle the pages of a book

b

: shuffle

4

: to make into a ruffle

intransitive verb

: to become ruffled

… their dispositions ruffle perceptibly.

—Life

see also:

ruffle feathers

ruffle

2 of 4

noun (1)

1

: commotion, brawl

2

: a state or cause of irritation

3

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff entry 2 sense 2

4

: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple

ruffly

ˈrə-f(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

ruffle feathers

4 of 4

phrase

informal

: to upset or offend someone

Her research has been ruffling feathers [=upsetting people] for years.

His critical remarks are sure to ruffle some feathers.

Synonyms of ruffle

Verb

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute

Noun (1)

• flounce
• edging
• border
• skirting
• trim
• fringe
• frill

Examples of ruffle in a Sentence

Verb

Her hair was ruffled by the wind.

He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Noun (1)

likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Shards will be yet another chance to collapse the line between real life and life onscreen, not to mention an opportunity to ruffle some feathers of the rigid cultural establishment in the process. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Similar to Musk’s past real estate projects in Texas, including towering metal gates around his West Lake Hills compound, the mogul’s latest venture has ruffled the feathers of some locals. — India Roby, Architectural Digest, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

Now at the National Museum of American History, the vanilla silk crepe dress, with its single waterfall ruffle and narrow claret ribbon at the waist, hinted at old-world craft and restraint. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

The flowy ruffle hem adds a whimsical touch to all of your summer outfits, whether paired with a boxy tee, polished button-down, or loose tank, while simultaneously keeping your ensemble airy and lightweight on the go. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026

Phrase

Crying fowl The discovery of the mothballs ruffled feathers in the community. — Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Pickleball’s expansion has required the need, for example, for the sport to take over tennis courts in some places, ruffling feathers. — Sean Gregory, Time, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

Noun (2)

ruff a drumbeat

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1694, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ruffle

• ruffle feathers
• ruffle some feathers

Rhymes for ruffle

• duffel
• duffle
• muffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

ruffle

1 of 3 verb

ruf·​fle ˈrəf-əl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrəf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to disturb the smoothness of

b

: trouble entry 1 sense 1a, vex

2

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

3

: to make into a ruffle

ruffle

2 of 3 noun

1

: a state or cause of irritation

2

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff sense 2

ruffly

ˈrəf-(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 3 noun

: a low vibrating drumbeat that is less loud than a roll