ruffle

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 FROM ruffle

ruffly, adjectiveruffler, noun

Words nearby ruffle

ruffed, ruffed grouse, ruffian, ruffianism, Ruffini's corpuscle, ruffle, ruffled, ruffler, ruffle someone's feathers, Rufisque, rufiyaa

Other definitions for ruffle (2 of 2)

ruffle²

[ ruhf-uhl ]

/ 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

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. 2023

How to use ruffle in a sentence

Garlicky breadcrumbs and breezy mint lend their charms to campanelle strewn with springy rock shrimp, and I love how the pasta catches bits of anchovy and capers in its ruffles.
L’Ardente, an Italian stunner, combines fun and finesse|Tom Sietsema|October 29, 2021|Washington Post
Drizzled with smoked tomato honey, lamb is staged multiple ways on a shareable plate that turns shaved squash into pretty yellow ruffles and tucks some meat into tasty peppers.
2021 Fall Dining Guide|Tom Sietsema|October 6, 2021|Washington Post
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
Better, says Mr Ruffle, to discourage the practice of including a photo altogether.
Who Discriminates Against Attractive Women?|David Frum|April 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Besides I have some things to put into my trunk, and I want to put a ruffle into my wrapper that I may have it all ready.
Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline|Jennie M. Drinkwater
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.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson|Robert Southey

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)

ruffle¹

/ (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)

ruffle²

/ (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)

ruffle³

/ (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

ruffle

OTHER WORDS FOR ruffle

OPPOSITES FOR ruffle

Origin of ruffle

OTHER WORDS FROM ruffle

Words nearby ruffle

Other definitions for ruffle (2 of 2)

Origin of ruffle

Words related to ruffle

How to use ruffle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)

Word Origin for ruffle

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)

Word Origin for ruffle

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)

Word Origin for ruffle