Definition of rustle
rustled
;rustling
play \ˈrə-s(ə-)liŋ\intransitive verb
1 : to make or cause a rustle
2a : to act or move with energy or speedb : to forage food
3 : to steal cattle
transitive verb
1 : to cause to rustle
2a : to obtain by one's own exertions —often used with up able to rustle up $5,000 bail — Jack McCallumb : forage
3 : to steal (livestock) especially from a farm or ranch
Explore M-W
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.
Origin and Etymology of rustle
Middle English rustelen
rustle
Definition of rustle
: a quick succession or confusion of small sounds
Examples of rustle in a Sentence
He heard a rustle of leaves behind him.
First Known Use of rustle
1624
RUSTLE Defined for English Language Learners
rustle
playDefinition 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
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
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\ nounDefinition 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
Learn More about rustle
-
See words that rhyme with rustle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rustle Spanish Central: Translation of rustle Nglish: Translation of rustle for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up rustle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!