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

The Brockmans have dined with Sylvester Stallone at the Kennedy Center, attended black-tie events at the White House, and even walked the blue carpet at the Met Gala, where Anna wore a black-and-white ruffled gown by Korean designer Ashlynn Park. — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026

The Kansas City Chiefs signing embattled kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad has ruffled many football feathers on social media. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Noun

Related Articles The dress was designed with a flowing sensibility in mind, featuring the Victorian design element of a high collar contrasted by fluttering bohemian shift silhouette, long sleeves and plenty of ruffles on the bodice and skirt. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

For the occasion, Klum opted for a gloriously theatrical, tangerine-orange Lever Couture dress that featured sculptural, accordion-pleated ruffles that fell from mini-dress length to an arpeggiated train. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 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 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