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

Some key roles in the new cabinet were given to politicians who were originally in the ranks of the LR — including Bruno Le Maire, the former economy and finance minister who was named as the new defense minister — and this ruffled feathers within the party. —Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025

For instance, if a Vision image includes a pair of leather pants and a white ruffled shirt, the consumer might see their likeness on a city street; if the Vision image sees the user’s likeness wearing a floral skirt and a crop top, the consumer might see their likeness on the beach. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025

Make your own mixed salad greens with a selection of red, green, smooth, and ruffled lettuces. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

The wedding day photoshoot showed Gomez in a lacy white halter-style gown with a ruffled neckline, with Blanco looking spiffy in a black tux and bowtie. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 28 Sep. 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