ruffled; ruffling
ˈrə-f(ə-)liŋ 
2
: to erect in or like a ruff : to cause to rise or bristle
a bird ruffling its feathers
3
a
: to flip through
ruffle the pages of a book
b
: shuffle
4
: to make into a ruffle
: to become ruffled
their dispositions ruffle perceptibly—
Life
Life2
: a state or cause of irritation
3
a
: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge
4
: an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple
: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll
Synonyms
Examples of ruffle in a Sentence
Verb
Her hair was ruffled by the wind.
He ruffled some people with his constant complaining.
Noun (1)
likes lace curtains without ruffles and chintz curtains with ruffles
a spouse's snoring is one ruffle that many couples must eventually come to terms with
Recent Examples on the WebNBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The concert was divided into four acts, and Janet took the stage in the second decked in a broad-brimmed black hat and long, ruffled black skirt.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ruffle 
Verb
So yes, by West Coast standards, a 4.8-magnitude earthquake might not seem like something to get too ruffled about.
—NBC News, 5 Apr. 2024
The concert was divided into four acts, and Janet took the stage in the second decked in a broad-brimmed black hat and long, ruffled black skirt.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ruffle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ruffle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near ruffle
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffle. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ruffle
1 of 3 verb
ruf·fle
ˈrəf-əl
ruffled; ruffling
ˈrəf-(ə-)liŋ
1
a
: to disturb the smoothness of
2
: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff
3
: to make into a ruffle
ruffle
2 of 3 noun1
: a state or cause of irritation
2
a
: a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge
b
ruffle
3 of 3 noun
: a low vibrating drumbeat that is less loud than a roll
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