ruffle

¹ American  

[ruhf-uhl] / ˈrʌf əl /

verb (used with object)

ruffled, ruffling

1. to destroy the smoothness or evenness of.

   The wind ruffled the sand.

   Synonyms:

   rumple, wrinkle, disorder, disarrange

   Antonyms:

   order, arrange, smooth

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

3. to disturb, vex, or irritate.

   to be ruffled by a perceived slight.

   Synonyms:

   agitate, annoy, upset

   Antonyms:

   compose, soothe

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

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

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

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verb (used without object)

ruffled, ruffling

1. to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter.

   Flags ruffle in the wind.

2. to be or become vexed or irritated.

3. to put on airs; swagger.

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   vexation, trial, headache, aggravation

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

   Synonyms:

   ruff, frill

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

4. disturbance or vexation; annoyance; irritation.

   It is impossible to live without some daily ruffles to our composure.

   Antonyms:

   joy, delight

5. a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.

ruffle ² American  

[ruhf-uhl] / ˈrʌf əl /

noun

1. a low, continuous beating of a drum.

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verb (used with object)

ruffled, ruffling

1. to beat (a drum) in this manner.

ruffle ¹ British  

/ 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

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

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

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

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noun

1. an irregular or disturbed surface

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

3. zoology another name for ruff 1

4. annoyance or irritation

ruffle ² British  

/ ˈrʌfəl /

noun

1. a low continuous drumbeat

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verb

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

ruffle ³ British  

/ ˈrʌfəl /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• ruffler noun
• ruffly adjective

Etymology

Origin of ruffle¹

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”

Origin of ruffle²

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

Example Sentences

If these sources are coming from inside Meta, it is a sign of ruffled feathers both inside and outside the new lab.

From Barron's

Last year, comedian Nikki Glaser did the impossible, earning raves as the show’s first solo female host without ruffling too many feathers.

From Los Angeles Times

Before, Riley had ruffled some feathers locally when he implied that many local players on USC’s roster were only there because they were from local schools.

From Los Angeles Times

His ability to ruffle feathers is simply indicative of his desire to speed things up.

From The Wall Street Journal

When he meets adults he stares at them and takes them in, then kindly smiles and gurgles and lets them pat him, ruffle his hair, and take his face in their hands.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• annoy
• disturb
• irk
• rattle