rustle

American  

[ruhs-uhl] / ˈrʌs əl /

verb (used without object)

rustled, rustling

1. to make a succession of slight, soft sounds, as of parts rubbing gently one on another, as leaves, silks, or papers.

2. to cause such sounds by moving or stirring something.

3. to move, proceed, or work energetically.

   Rustle around and see what you can find.

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verb (used with object)

rustled, rustling

1. to move or stir so as to cause a rustling sound.

   The wind rustled the leaves.

2. to move, bring, or get by energetic action.

   I'll go rustle some supper.

3. to steal (livestock, especially cattle).

noun

1. the sound made by anything that rustles.

   the rustle of leaves.

verb phrase

1. rustle up to find, gather, or assemble by effort or search.

   to rustle up some wood for a fire.

rustle ¹ British  

/ ˈrʌsəl /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a low crisp whispering or rubbing sound, as of dry leaves or paper

2. to move with such a sound

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noun

1. such a sound or sounds

rustle ² British  

/ ˈrʌsəl /

verb

1. to steal (cattle, horses, etc)

2. informal to move swiftly and energetically

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Other Word Forms

• rustling adjective
• rustlingly adverb
• unrustling adjective

Etymology

Origin of rustle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb rustlen; compare Frisian russelje, Dutch ridselen; imitative of the sound

Explanation

A rustle can be the dry sounds made by papers rubbing together or leaves crackling. It can also be the act of searching, stealing, finding food, or making rustle sounds. Rustle has a whole lotta meanings! Walking home late at night, you hear a rustle behind you. Maybe it’s just leaves, but you’re spooked, so you rustle around in your knapsack, searching for a weapon. You turn, and it’s just a hungry friend, so you bring him home and rustle up some food from your cupboards. As your friend leaves, he rustles all your cows and takes them away.

Example Sentences

Do labor leaders really think they can’t rustle up a quarter of their members to ensure the union preserves its role in representing workers?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

In the months leading up to the conference, with Belem's few hotels full, organizers scrambled to rustle up delegate accommodation in private homes, universities and schools.

From Barron's • Nov. 9, 2025

Once the press gets wind that Mary’s marriage has ended, the gossip is relentless, and the one-time belle of the ball can’t rustle up so much as a small tea party.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2025

She added doctors had little option but to discharge patients as they struggled to "rustle up" carers who were willing to risk their lives for minimum wage jobs.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2024

But as I opened my mouth to tell him that he had been betrayed, we were interrupted by the sound of a snap, a rustle of stones, and what might have been a polite cough.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

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