ruffle

1 of 3

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 3

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 3

noun (2)

: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

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

Plus, Jackson spent much of the campaign railing against the status quo, ruffling GOP establishment feathers along the way. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Changing that would undoubtedly ruffle some feathers, but some offerings at the food court do come and go. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

Noun

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

Many costumes were trimmed in white lace and ruffles; a few guests came in full drag topped with elaborate hats. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 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 any feathers
• 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