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

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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

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Explanation

A ruffle is a pleated piece of decorative fabric often used as trim on clothes, like the ruffles on a pirate’s shirt. To ruffle is to make someone lose their composure. Argh. The word ruffle is mysterious, but it might be from the Low German word ruffelen which means "to wrinkle." A ruffle on the bottom of a dress is like a fancy wrinkle. To ruffle someone is to upset them, and they’ll need to get straightened out. Often, this word is used in the expression "ruffle their feathers." Hearing bad news will ruffle most people's feathers. An unruffled person and an unruffled shirt will both be smoother.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ruffle ruffled ruffling

Her reluctance to ruffle her guests sometimes shows.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

Roy interjected with the mischievous smirk typical of a younger brother trying to ruffle some feathers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

"Unfortunately, you do have to ruffle some feathers to really make a massive change in the sport, especially one like fencing that is so traditional," says Chamley-Watson.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

Yet it probably won’t be enough to ruffle feathers on Wall Street, especially with investors focused on Iran.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 10, 2026

Biff grinned and bent down to ruffle the puppy’s fur.

From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Pau Torres: Calming presence at the back without being too ruffled.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

American football team the Atlanta Falcons have ruffled feathers with their new logo, which instantly drew mocking comparisons with imagery from Adolf Hitler's Germany.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

Because in his time as a resident and elected official, he’s ruffled some feathers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

She first started playing at the age of four, saying: "I went to train every day after school with my ruffled socks, light-up shoes and chubby cheeks."

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

Only the ruffled hem of her dress and her white boots give any indication that she is the same girl who was performing in the same spot moments ago.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

It’s gliding along the water, occasionally changing direction or ruffling its feathers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

President Donald Trump has a way of ruffling feathers.

From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026

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 ● Dec. 5, 2025

It was also a chance for Lamar to make incisive commentary within his performance without ruffling the feathers of advertisers or the NFL.

From Salon ● Feb. 10, 2025

“What excellent howlers! You’ll have to teach us to do it, too,” Pater Lumley said, ruffling Beowulf’s hair.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

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Related Words

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