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

Naked dressing also made its way via Tessa Thompson and Jenny Slate, in sheer black Collina Strada and Altuzarra, respectively, while award-winning Rose Byrne wore a midriff-baring Loewe gown with colorful ruffled shoulders and hips. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026

The look included a black camisole-style top with lace trim, a structured tier combining fabric with a leather-like ruffled panel and wide-leg trousers finished with ankle ties, complementing the cord construction of her shoes. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026

The two-way intercom was hidden in the clown’s ruffled collar. —Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026

Get those ruffled potato chips and start snacking. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 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