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 ruffled straps are also thinner and less fluttery for more of a streamlined look. —Samantha Sutton, StyleCaster, 15 July 2024

The ruffled tiers add a pop of style and can pair easily with everything from sneakers to heels. —Amber Love Bond, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2024

Find it on Amazon An A-Line Dress for a Summer Beach Party Bring out the lace this season with this A-line dress, which features a V-neck design and a ruffled hem. —Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2024

The pans are oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and feature a floral design and ruffled edges that are the signature look of The Pioneer Woman’s kitchen line. —Rachel Trujillo, Southern Living, 1 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing ruffled

• ruffled the feathers of