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
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 Web
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
The Wolfpack have a chance to ruffle some feathers and pick up a big upset win this week at Notre Dame.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
It’s made from 100 percent polyester which has been known to stay smooth (even when it’s stuffed into a packing cube), and the loose-fitting sleeves and ruffles down the front keep it fun and stylish without looking stuffy.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
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Verb
While Bezos wore a black shirt and tight black jeans with his trusty aviators, Sánchez Bezos opted for a rose-print, ruffled Roberto Cavalli dress in beige and black.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025
The Wolfpack have a chance to ruffle some feathers and pick up a big upset win this week at Notre Dame.
—Grace Raynor, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
Channel your home’s inner Tuscan villa with the quaint ruffle details on this pre-patina terracotta planter.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
It’s made from 100 percent polyester which has been known to stay smooth (even when it’s stuffed into a packing cube), and the loose-fitting sleeves and ruffles down the front keep it fun and stylish without looking stuffy.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ruffle
Cite this Entry
“Ruffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffle. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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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