Ruffle Definition & Meaning

ruffle
noun
  1. a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
  2. a high tight collar
  3. a noisy fight
verb
  1. stir up (water) so as to form ripples
  2. trouble or vex; "ruffle somebody's composure"
  3. to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others; "He struts around like a rooster in a hen house"
  4. discompose; "This play is going to ruffle some people"; "She has a way of ruffling feathers among her colleagues"
  5. twitch or flutter; "the paper flicked"
  6. mix so as to make a random order or arrangement; "shuffle the cards"
  7. erect or fluff up; "the bird ruffled its feathers"
  8. disturb the smoothness of; "ruffle the surface of the water"
  9. pleat or gather into a ruffle; "ruffle the curtain fabric"

Synonyms for ruffle

affray noun

noisy quarrel a noisy fight

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choker noun

someone who kills by strangling an unfortunate person who is unable to perform effectively because of nervous tension

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cockle noun

common edible European bivalve common edible, burrowing European bivalve mollusk that has a strong, rounded shell with

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disturbance noun

activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption

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flick noun

a light sharp contact (usually with something flexible); "he gave it a flick with his finger

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flounce noun

a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim the act of walking with exaggerated jerky motions walk

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fluff noun

any light downy material something of little value or significance a blunder (especially an actor's forgetting the

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fray noun

a noisy fight wear away by rubbing; "The friction frayed the sleeve" cause friction; "my sweater scratches"

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frill noun

(paleontology) a bony plate that curves upward behind the skull of many ceratopsian dinosaurs an external body part

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furbelow noun

a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim

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"Ruffle" in song lyrics

See how ruffle is used in real songs:

  • "Haven't the slightest idea how much I ruffle"
    UTFO — All About Technic
  • "esprit beach ruffle"
    AOL — AOL
  • "esprit swim ruffle"
    AOL — AOL

Words that rhyme with ruffle

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Usage tips for "ruffle"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "ruffle" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for ruffle to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with ruffle ↔ Synonyms for ruffle 🔬 Words containing ruffle

Frequently asked questions

What does ruffle mean?
a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim a high tight collar a noisy fight stir up (water) so as to form ripples trouble or vex; "ruffle somebody's composure" to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others; "He struts around like a rooster in a hen house" discompose; "This play is going to ruffle some people"; "She has a way of ruffling feathers among her colleagues" twitch or flutter; "the paper flicked" mix so as to make a random order or arrangement
What part of speech is ruffle?
Ruffle is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does ruffle have?
Ruffle has 12 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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