ruffle
C1neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
to disturb the smoothness or neatness of something, especially by pulling or touching it; to make something uneven or untidy
to upset or annoy someone; to decorate with gathered or pleated fabric; to flick or brush lightly; to beat a drum with a rapid series of short strokes
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a gentle or slight disturbance rather than severe disarray. As a noun, it can refer to a decorative gathered frill on clothing or a low continuous drumbeat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word similarly. As a noun, 'ruffle' is somewhat more common in British English for fabric trims.
Connotations
In both, the verb can carry emotional connotations (ruffle someone's feathers). Slightly more poetic/descriptive in British usage.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, more common in written than spoken English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ruffle somethingruffle someone's feathersruffle through somethingbe/get ruffledVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “ruffle someone's feathers”
- “smooth ruffled feathers”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'ruffle the market' meaning cause minor disturbance.
Academic
Used in literary analysis, psychology (emotions), or biology (bird feathers).
Everyday
Most common: hair, clothes, feelings.
Technical
In sewing/textiles for decorative trims; in drumming for a specific roll technique.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The dress had a delicate lace ruffle at the neck.
- A faint ruffle of drums announced the king's arrival.
American English
- She added a ruffle to the sleeves for a vintage look.
- The curtain had a silk ruffle along the bottom.
verb
British English
- The wind ruffled the surface of the pond.
- She didn't want to ruffle any feathers at the meeting.
- He ruffled through the papers on his desk.
American English
- Don't ruffle your brother's hair like that.
- The criticism ruffled her composure.
- Birds ruffle their feathers to keep warm.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
- (N/A)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
- (N/A)
adjective
British English
- (No common adjective form. 'Ruffled' is participial adjective.)
- (N/A)
American English
- (No common adjective form. 'Ruffled' is participial adjective.)
- (N/A)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat ruffled its fur.
- Her dress has a pretty ruffle.
- The breeze ruffled the leaves.
- He got upset when his papers were ruffled.
- Her abrupt question ruffled his usual calm.
- The political scandal ruffled feathers in the party.
- The minister's controversial statement ruffled diplomatic relations.
- She remained unruffled despite the intense media scrutiny.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a RUFF (like a dog's neck fur) being tousled — RUFF-LE.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE IS PHYSICAL DISARRANGEMENT (e.g., 'ruffled feelings').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'рафл' (raffle/lottery). The verb can be mistranslated as 'тормошить' (to tug) which is too forceful. Better: 'взъерошить' (hair/feathers), 'сморщить' (fabric), 'вывести из себя' (emotionally).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ruffle' for severe destruction (too strong). Confusing noun/verb forms. Misspelling as 'ruffel'. Using without object (*'He ruffled' needs 'his hair' etc.).
Practice
Quiz
Which meaning does NOT belong to 'ruffle'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, etymologically. Both come from Middle English, with 'ruffle' implying making something rough or uneven.
Yes, commonly: 'The wind ruffled the surface of the lake' means it created small waves or disturbances.
'Ruffle' often involves a surface (hair, feathers, water) and can be light. 'Rumple' implies deeper creasing, usually of fabric or paper, and is more thorough disarray.
'Unruffled' is an adjective meaning calm and not disturbed. E.g., 'She remained unruffled during the crisis.'