ruffle

verb

ruf·​fle ˈrə-fəl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrə-f(ə-)liŋ  ; ruffles

transitive verb

1

a

: roughen, abrade

b

: trouble, vex

… is not ruffled by such barbs.

—Bruce Anderson

2

: to erect in or like a ruff : to cause to rise or bristle

a bird ruffling its feathers

3

a

: to flip through

ruffle the pages of a book

b

: shuffle

4

: to make into a ruffle

intransitive verb

: to become ruffled

… their dispositions ruffle perceptibly.

—Life

see also:

ruffle feathers

Synonyms of ruffle

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute

Examples of ruffle in a Sentence

Her hair was ruffled by the wind.

He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, style a red and white Madewell ruffled polka-dot top with blue denim shorts and a pair of strappy red sandals for the Fourth, and then rewear it with red satin pants and white kitten heels for a summer date night. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

Multiple reports have emerged claiming Hardy's alleged tardiness on set has ruffled feathers with the cast and crew, with one report asserting he was fired from the show. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

Those deals would cost a pretty penny to get out of, which is also going to ruffle some feathers. —Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026

That decision has reportedly ruffled Melania’s feathers, according to astrology expert Tracy Higgs. —Stylecaster Editors, StyleCaster, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing ruffle

• ruffle any feathers
• ruffle feathers
• ruffle some feathers

Rhymes for ruffle

• duffel
• duffle
• muffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

ruffle

1 of 3 verb

ruf·​fle ˈrəf-əl 

ruffled; ruffling ˈrəf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

a

: to disturb the smoothness of

b

: trouble entry 1 sense 1a, vex

2

: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff

3

: to make into a ruffle

ruffle

2 of 3 noun

1

: a state or cause of irritation

2

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff sense 2

ruffly

ˈrəf-(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 3 noun

: a low vibrating drumbeat that is less loud than a roll