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

The expecting mom was decked out in a cool outfit featuring a strapless monochromatic Saint Laurent dress with a high-low prairie skirt and a ruffled neckline. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 20 June 2025

Fitting up to nine half shells, the plate also boasts a playful ruffled edge inspired by the Victorian era. —Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2025

For a day of exploring town, an airy ruffled blouse styled with a lightweight pair of pants in one of the season’s hottest prints, gingham, feels laidback yet chic when paired with these subtly distressed sneakers. —Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 16 June 2025

Paired with a flouncy, ruffled blouse and straight jeans, needle-nose ankle boots will do their part to further the boho-chic agenda. —Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 4 June 2025

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