ruffle

[ ruhf-uhl ]

/ ˈrʌf əl /

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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.

Words nearby ruffle

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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OTHER WORDS FROM ruffle

ruf·fly, adjectiveruf·fler, noun

Definition for ruffle (2 of 2)

ruffle²

[ 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. 2020

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)

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

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

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

noun

Words related to ruffle

Words nearby ruffle

Origin of ruffle

SYNONYMS FOR ruffle

ANTONYMS FOR ruffle

OTHER WORDS FROM ruffle

Definition for ruffle (2 of 2)

noun

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

Origin of ruffle

Examples from the Web for ruffle

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (1 of 3)

verb

noun

Word Origin for ruffle

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (2 of 3)

noun

verb

Word Origin for ruffle

British Dictionary definitions for ruffle (3 of 3)

verb

Word Origin for ruffle