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.

11 frill, ruff.

13 aggravation, headache, trial, vexation.

See synonyms for ruffle on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR ruffle

1 smooth, arrange, order.

3 soothe, compose.

13 delight. joy.

See antonyms for ruffle on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of 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

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

The Simpsons didn't hit 500 episodes without ruffling a few feathers.
‘Blame It on Lisa’? The Most Controversial ‘Simpsons’ Episodes (Video)|Shannon Donnelly|February 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The inconveniences are ruffling feathers, but such diplomatic skirmishes are more procedural than political.
Pakistan-U.S. Relations Frayed But Not Collapsing|Ron Moreau|April 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A cold and mournful wind blew down the street, ruffling the darkened river.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
A sudden breeze arose, ruffling the water and blowing the ends of his powdered hair on to her shoulder.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen

The detectives had been punctilious to avoid ruffling the sensibilities of any and all.
From Place to Place|Irvin S. Cobb
What a silly little fluttering dove it is, struggling like this, ruffling all your plumes, and making your face so red.
The Mynns' Mystery|George Manville Fenn
And yet how blest, in these cool shadesTo rest with us, as in a land-locked pool,Touched last and lightest by the ruffling breeze.
The Saint's Tragedy|Charles Kingsley

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

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