ruffle

[ ruhf-uhl ]

/ ˈrʌf əl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ruffle ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.

to destroy the smoothness or evenness of: The wind ruffled the sand.

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

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

to turn (the pages of a book) rapidly.

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

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

verb (used without object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.

to be or become ruffled; undulate; flutter: Flags ruffle in the wind.

to be or become vexed or irritated.

to put on airs; swagger.

noun

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

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

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

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

a disturbed state of mind; perturbation.

Nearby words

ruffed, ruffed grouse, ruffian, ruffianism, ruffini's corpuscle, ruffle, ruffle someone's feathers, ruffled, ruffler, rufisque, rufiyaa

Origin of ruffle

1250–1300; Middle English ruffelen (v.); cognate with Low German ruffelen to crumple, rumple; compare Old Norse hruffa to scratch

SYNONYMS FOR ruffle

1 disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple.

3 upset, annoy, agitate.

10 perturbation, flurry, agitation.

11 frill, ruff.

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ANTONYMS FOR ruffle

1 smooth, arrange, order.

3 soothe, compose.

13 tranquillity.

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Related forms

ruf·fly, adjectiveruf·fler, noun

Definition for ruffle (2 of 2)

ruffle

[ ruhf-uh l ]

/ ˈrʌf əl /

noun

a low, continuous beating of a drum.

verb (used with object), ruf·fled, ruf·fling.

to beat (a drum) in this manner.

Origin of ruffle

1715–25; archaic ruff in same sense (perhaps imitative) + -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ruffle

The hems were slashed open horizontally—as if a ruffle was in danger of spinning right off the garment.
Balenciaga’s Nicolas Ghesquiere Shows Whispers of Brilliance in Spring 2013 Collection|Robin Givhan|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As soon as the oysters get plump and the gills "ruffle" add them to the hot milk.
Civic League Cook Book|Anonymous
Then Cousin Jennie was called into the other room, where some one wanted to talk about the best way to ruffle a lawn skirt.
A Little Girl of Long Ago|Amanda Millie Douglas
She suddenly went into a fit of laughter, meant to ruffle my dignity.
Paradise Garden|George Gibbs

Can I not go about my private meditations, Ha, but such companions as you must ruffle me?
Wit Without Money|Francis Beaumont
From time to time, however, breezes were apt to ruffle the placid sea of good-fellowship.
Mike|P. G. Wodehouse

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)

ruffle

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /

verb

to make, be, or become irregular or rumpledto ruffle a child's hair; a breeze ruffling the water

to annoy, irritate, or be annoyed or irritated

(tr) to make into a ruffle; pleat

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

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

noun

an irregular or disturbed surface

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

zoology another name for ruff 1 (def. 2)

annoyance or irritation

Word Origin for ruffle

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

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)

ruffle

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /

noun

a low continuous drumbeat

verb

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

Word Origin for ruffle

C18: from earlier ruff, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)

ruffle

/ (ˈrʌfəl) /

verb

(intr) archaic to behave riotously or arrogantly; swagger

Word Origin for ruffle

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