ruffle

1 of 3

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

ruffle

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: commotion, brawl

2

: a state or cause of irritation

3

a

: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge

b

: ruff entry 2 sense 2

4

: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple

ruffly

ˈrə-f(ə-)lē 

adjective

ruffle

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll

Synonyms of ruffle

Verb

• annoy
• irritate
• bother
• bug
• persecute

Noun (1)

• flounce
• edging
• border
• skirting
• trim
• fringe
• frill

Examples of ruffle in a Sentence

Verb

Her hair was ruffled by the wind.

He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.

Noun (1)

likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles

a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Before that, the Rockies — who beat the Dodgers twice in 13 meetings all of last season — chased starter Roki Sasaki from the game in the fifth inning and then ruffled the Dodgers’ relievers. —Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026

Below, during a conversation with THR, Cronin also discusses his unique ability to deliver gore without ruffling the MPA’s feathers. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

There’s plenty of spring-friendly bedding worth shopping, too, like this pretty comforter with feminine ruffle details or a cooling blanket that thousands of hot sleepers swear by. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

Frances wore a silk white dress with ruffles on one shoulder and held a bouquet with her left hand, while her new husband wore a white button-up shirt with black suit jacket and matching pants and a silk gray tie and white rose boutonniere. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

Noun (2)

ruff a drumbeat

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1694, in the meaning defined above

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