ruffle

[ ruhf-uhl ]

/ ˈrʌf əl /

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See synonyms for: ruffle / ruffled / ruffler 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR ruffle

1 disarrange, disorder, wrinkle, rumple.

3 upset, annoy, agitate.

10 perturbation, flurry, agitation.

11 frill, ruff.

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OPPOSITES FOR ruffle

1 smooth, arrange, order.

3 soothe, compose.

13 tranquillity.

See antonyms for ruffle on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of ruffle

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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use ruffle in a sentence

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