ruffle

1
[ ruhf-uhl ]
See synonyms for: ruffleruffledruffler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
  1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.

  2. to erect (the feathers), as a bird in anger.

  1. to disturb, vex, or irritate: to be ruffled by a perceived slight.

  2. to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.

  3. to pass (cards) through the fingers rapidly in shuffling.

  4. to draw up (cloth, lace, etc.) into a ruffle by gathering along one edge.

verb (used without object),ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
  1. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.

  2. to be or become vexed or irritated.

  1. to put on airs; swagger.

noun
  1. a break in the smoothness or evenness of some surface; undulation.

  2. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., drawn up by gathering along one edge and used as a trimming on a dress, blouse, etc.

  1. some object resembling this, as the ruff of a bird.

  2. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation: It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.

  3. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.

Origin of ruffle

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb ruffelen, ruflen; origin uncertain; perhaps cognate with Low German ruffelen “to crumple, rumple,” Old Norse hruffa “to scratch”

Other words for ruffle

Opposites for ruffle

Other words from ruffle

  • ruffly, adjective
  • ruffler, noun

Words Nearby ruffle

Other definitions for ruffle (2 of 2)

ruffle2
[ ruhf-uhl ]

noun
  1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.

verb (used with object),ruf·fled, ruf·fling.
  1. to beat (a drum) in this manner.

Origin of ruffle

2
First recorded in 1690–1700; archaic ruff in same sense (perhaps imitative) + -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use ruffle in a sentence

  • Win' ruffle up he ha'r, yit he aint move; sun shine down 'pun 'im, yit he aint move.

    Nights With Uncle Remus | Joel Chandler Harris
  • How should I be watchful to see that nothing should ruffle your spirits?

    An Old Man's Love | Anthony Trollope
  • Close to the stream her eye caught the tattered black ruffle and the note pinned to it.

    The Devourers | Annie Vivanti Chartres
  • But his time did not pass away thus without some vexatious cares to ruffle it.

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)

ruffle1

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /


verb
  1. to make, be, or become irregular or rumpled: to ruffle a child's hair; a breeze ruffling the water

  2. to annoy, irritate, or be annoyed or irritated

  1. (tr) to make into a ruffle; pleat

  2. (of a bird) to erect (its feathers) in anger, display, etc

  3. (tr) to flick (cards, pages, etc) rapidly with the fingers

noun
  1. an irregular or disturbed surface

  2. a strip of pleated material used for decoration or as a trim

  1. zoology another name for ruff 1 (def. 2)

  2. annoyance or irritation

Origin of ruffle

1
C13: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German ruffelen to crumple, Old Norse hrufla to scratch

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)

ruffle2

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /


noun
  1. a low continuous drumbeat

verb
  1. (tr) to beat (a drum) with a low repetitive beat

Origin of ruffle

2
C18: from earlier ruff, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)

ruffle3

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /


verb
  1. (intr) archaic to behave riotously or arrogantly; swagger

Origin of ruffle

3
C15: of obscure origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012