rustle

verb rus·tle \ ˈrə-səl \

Definition of rustle

rustled; rustling play \ˈrə-s(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 :to make or cause a rustle

2 a :to act or move with energy or speed

b :to forage food

3 :to steal cattle

transitive verb

1 :to cause to rustle

2 a :to obtain by one's own exertions —often used with up

able to rustle up $5,000 bail
—Jack McCallum

b :forage

3 :to steal (livestock) especially from a farm or ranch

—

rustler

play \-s(ə-)lər\ noun

See rustle defined for English-language learners

See rustle defined for kids

Examples of rustle in a Sentence

The trees rustled in the wind.
Her skirt rustled as she walked.
He rustled the papers on his desk.

Recent Examples of rustle from the Web

According to Yoshikawa, reindeer are easily spooked by anything, from rustling grass to a rabbit.

— kelsey lindsey, Alaska Dispatch News, "Scientist looks to be ‘Japanese Santa,’ mushing reindeer across tundra," 28 Aug. 2017
Here's a hot deal worth mooing about: Rustle up cow costumes and drive your herd to Chick-fil-A for free eats on Tuesday, July 11.

— doreen christensen, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Free eats Chick-fil-A for Cow Appreciation Day on Tuesday," 6 July 2017
In an early episode of Netflix's new show, Gypsy, which is out today, Jean (Naomi Watts) rustles through her closet and throws on a vintage, barely-there lace camisole.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Naomi Watts Self-Destructs in the Pursuit of Happiness on Her New Netflix Show, 'Gypsy'," 30 June 2017
Illinois, Illinois Comes an echo on the breeze, rustling through the leafy trees, Boss Madigan has us on our knees, Illinois, Illinois Boss Madigan has us on our knees, Illinois.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "What to do with a broken Illinois: Dissolve the Land of Lincoln," 20 June 2017
Illinois, Illinois Comes an echo on the breeze, rustling through the leafy trees, Boss Madigan has us on our knees, Illinois, Illinois Boss Madigan has us on our knees, Illinois.

— john kass, chicagotribune.com, "What to do with a broken Illinois: Dissolve the Land of Lincoln," 20 June 2017
On her road lined with homes perched on the lake’s edge, the breeze appeared to barely rustle the American flags hanging from every utility pole.

— rick rojas, New York Times, "Officials Point Fingers as Lake Ontario Spills Into Neighborhoods," 18 June 2017
On this fresh August morning, a warm ocean breeze rustles the flowering trees lining the Caribbean capital’s picturesque streets; the bustle of the day is just getting underway.

— ryan schuessler, Smithsonian, "Why Sand Covers the Floor of One of the Western Hemisphere’s Oldest Synagogues," 15 June 2017
On my three visits, clouds tended to sweep and swirl; winds spit and rustled the land; and reminders of mayhem were still in the air.

— david g. molyneaux, miamiherald, "A landing at Normandy with remembrances of a day in 1944," 25 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rustle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rustle

Middle English rustelen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

rustle Synonyms

Synonyms

browse, forage, pasture, ¹graze

Antonyms

crawl, creep, poke

Related Words

eat, feed, nibble; range, stock; overgraze

Near Antonyms

dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, poke, tarry; amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll; decelerate, slow (down or up)

rustle

noun

Definition of rustle

:a quick succession or confusion of small sounds

See rustle defined for English-language learners

Examples of rustle in a Sentence

He heard a rustle of leaves behind him.

Recent Examples of rustle from the Web

Wings beat victory over and over against the knowing sky. Trampling the last crimson daggers to a rustle along the road,

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Poems 'Forged By Joy' From Laura Mazza-Dixon," 10 May 2017
Wings beat victory over and over against the knowing sky. Trampling the last crimson daggers to a rustle along the road,

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Poems 'Forged By Joy' From Laura Mazza-Dixon," 10 May 2017
There was a rustle inside the tent, and James Guidi, a Vietnam War veteran, emerged, a dazed look on his face.

— the new york times, Orange County Register, "California’s downpours wash away a homeless colony," 22 Apr. 2017
There was a rustle inside the tent, and James Guidi, a Vietnam War veteran, emerged, a dazed look on his face.

— the new york times, Orange County Register, "California’s downpours wash away a homeless colony," 22 Apr. 2017
There was a rustle inside the tent, and James Guidi, a Vietnam War veteran, emerged, a dazed look on his face.

— adam nagourney, New York Times, "California’s Deluge of Rain Washes Away a Homeless Colony," 21 Apr. 2017
The videos are virtually silent, for one thing — no talking, no explaining — so the only sound is ambient: the rustle of leaves being gathered; the muffled sound of a sharp stone biting into green wood; the occasional clear piping of bird song.

— jennifer kahn, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: ‘Primitive Technology’," 1 Dec. 2016

First Known Use of rustle

1624

RUSTLE Defined for English Language Learners

rustle

verb

Definition of rustle for English Language Learners

: to make a soft, light sound because parts of something are touching or rubbing against each other
: to cause (something) to make a soft, light sound
: to steal (animals) from a farm or ranch

rustle

noun

Definition of rustle for English Language Learners

: a quick series of soft, light sounds caused when things (such as leaves or pieces of paper) rub against each other

RUSTLE Defined for Kids

rustle

verb rus·tle \ ˈrə-səl \

Definition of rustle for Students

rustled; rustling

1 :to make or cause to make a quick series of small sounds

Leaves rustled in the wind.

2 :to steal (as cattle) from the range

—

rustler

\ˈrə-slər\ noun

rustle

noun

Definition of rustle for Students

:a quick series of small sounds

From backstage you could hear the rustle of paper programs …
—Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder

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rustle

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