Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

ruffle

Pronunciation: /ˈrʌf(ə)l/

Translate ruffle | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of ruffle

verb

[with object]
  • 1disorder or disarrange (someone’s hair), typically by running one’s hands through it:he ruffled her hair affectionately
  • (of a bird) erect (its feathers) in anger or display:they warbled incessantly, their throat feathers ruffled
  • disturb the smoothness or tranquillity of:the evening breeze ruffled the surface of the pond in the yard
  • disconcert or upset the composure of (someone):Lancaster had been ruffled by her questions
  • 2 (usually as adjective ruffled) ornament with or gather into a frill:a blouse with a high ruffled neck

noun

  • 1an ornamental gathered or goffered frill of lace or other cloth on a garment, especially around the wrist or neck.
  • 2a vibrating drum beat.

Phrases

ruffle someone's feathers

cause someone to become annoyed or upset: his sudden rise ruffled the feathers of the old guard tampering with the traditional approach would ruffle a few feathers

smooth someone's ruffled feathers

make someone less angry or irritated by using soothing words: twenty minutes later, after a diplomatic phone call, she had succeeded in smoothing Henri’s ruffled feathers

Origin:

Middle English (as a verb): of unknown origin. Current noun senses date from the late 17th century

ruffle in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of ruffle in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

Word of the day

merrythought

/ /
noun
the wishbone of a bird …