ruffle Hear it!

ruffle¹ Definition

ruf·fle (rufəl)

transitive verb -·fled, -·fling

  1. to take away the smoothness of; wrinkle; ripple wind ruffling the water
  2. to gather into ruffles
  3. to put ruffles on as trimming
  4. to make (feathers, etc.) stand up in or as in a ruff, as a bird when frightened
  5. to disturb, irritate, or annoy
  6. to turn over (the pages of a book, etc.) rapidly

Etymology: ME ruffelen < ON or MLowG, as in LowG, ON hrufla, to scratch

intransitive verb

  1. to become uneven, wrinkled, etc.
  2. to become disturbed, irritated, etc.

noun

  1. a strip of cloth, lace, etc., gathered in pleats and puckers and used for trimming
  2. something like this, as a bird's ruff
  3. a disturbance; irritation
  4. a break in surface smoothness; ripple

ruffle¹ Related Forms

ruf·fly adjective -·flier, -·fli·est

ruffle¹ Idioms

ruffle feathers

Informal to disturb, irritate, or annoy (someone)

ruffle² Definition

ruf·fle (rufəl)

noun

a low, continuous beating of a drum, not so loud as a roll

Etymology: also earlier ruff, prob. echoic

intransitive verb, transitive verb -·fled, -·fling

to beat (a drum, etc.) with a ruffle

ruffle Synonyms

ruffle

n.

ruffle Synonyms

ruffle

v.

  1. To disarrange

    rumple, tousle, dishevel; see confuse, tangle.

  2. To anger

    irritate, fret, nettle; see anger 1.

ruffle Usage Examples

Object

  • feather: Russians ' flying visit Monday 3rd January 2005 A GROUP of Russian visitors ruffled a few feathers with a surprise trip to the Capital.
  • hem: It has a lined skirt for fullness, with ruffled hem.
  • lace: Arms and neckline are trimmed with decadent baby blue and white ruffled lace and a cream ribbon bow.
  • shirt: Next he emerges from the kitchen, dressed all in black save the classic white ruffled shirt.
  • edge: The collar of his shirt has a ruffled edge.
  • surface: The water was fairly calm with a slight tailwind that barely ruffled the surface of the lake.

Adjective modifier

white: This wonderfully kitsch wash bag has a pleated soft vinyl body, decorated with tiny pink flowers and white opaque vinyl ruffle edging.

Adjective complement

  • trim: The sweet looking Pearl string from Lepel has stunning floral embroidery over the mesh front panel with a ruffled trim at the top.
  • more: Citizen Centric is the name of the game, and it will ruffle more than a few feathers in the more traditional professions.

Modifying Another Word

  • slightly: The grooves may be slightly ruffled with a file to aid grip.
  • somewhat: Edges of DJ somewhat ruffled, torn at tail of spine.
  • not: Word of mouth is the best way to guarantee your wishes, and not ruffle any feathers in the process!
  • n't: They're the ones who ca n't ruffle the tired plot.
  • even: He battled well enough, but in truth he never even ruffled Ricketts ' feathers enough to get him really vocal.

Followed by an intransitive particle

up: Riku spun around to see Selphie standing there, her hair all ruffled up.

Used with why or when

when: Frank's feathers are ruffled when he loses, but he falls for Annie and she is offered a job as his assistant.

Present participle complement

edge: The brief has a seamless appearance with ruffled edging at the waist.

Noun used with modifier

  • lace: A striking cropped leather jacket with bow was featured with a lace ruffle neck top and classic jeans.
  • dust: Workers comp insurance make their cases even dust ruffles.

Modifies a noun

neck: A striking cropped leather jacket with bow was featured with a lace ruffle neck top and classic jeans.

Browse dictionary entries near ruffle

  1. ruffian
  2. ruffed grouse
  3. ruff
  4. rufescent
  5. Ruether, Rosemary Radford
  6. rueful
  7. rue anemone
  8. rue
  9. Rudolph
  10. Rudolf I
  1. rufiyaa
  2. rufous
  3. Rufus
  4. rug
  5. ruga
  6. Rugby
  7. rugby shirt
  8. rugelach
  9. rugged
  10. rugger