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

Loved for their large, ruffled petals that resemble roses or peonies, prairie gentian (Lisianthus) comes in various colors, including white, pink, purple, and blue. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026

With a ruffled drawstring waist, handy side pockets, and a cropped hem, these easy-to-style linen pants are anything but boring. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

My secret to packing fewer shoes is to jazz up my flats and sneakers with cute ruffled socks. —Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

Stunning bicolor blooms dangle in clusters, twirling their ruffled petals like ballerinas. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 May 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