ruffled

adjective

ruf·​fled ˈrə-fəld 

1

: affected by a loss of calmness or composure

… he is reserved and gracious, though gets a bit ruffled when asked about things he considers too personal …

—Rhonda Shafner

"He never got upset, never got ruffled," Colonel William Peoples, one of his former commanders, recalls.

—Barry Werth

2

a

: adorned or trimmed with ruffles

They begin with a fiesta of old-time flamenco style in old-time heavy, ruffled costumes.

—Elizabeth Zimmer

But she had lost some of Todd's starchy look, and the tank top and shorts she was wearing suited her better than the ruffled things she'd favored as a child.

—Deborah Eisenberg

b(1)

of a plant : having flowers or leaves with wavy edges

ruffled gladiolas

(2)

of a flower, petal, or leaf : having wavy edges

ruffled rose petals

ruffled kale leaves

Moss rose (Portulaca grandifolia) loves the sun and is a tough beauty with satiny, ruffled flowers and a drought-resistant nature.

—Irene Virag

c

of a bird : having the feathers erected in or like a ruff see ruff entry 2 sense 2

a ruffled owl

Examples of ruffled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of my best friends loves the ruffled detailing of this casual mini dress, while another swears by an off-the-shoulder dress for destination trips or wedding rehearsals. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025

On Thursday, March 20, Holmes stepped out in New York City wearing a silk shirt, a black blazer draped over her shoulders, black ruffled capris, and black tights. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2025

The fuzzy area rug, fluffy white towels, and flirty ruffled curtain enclosing the footed tub add pattern and color, take the chill off the white fixtures and act as cushy counterpoints to the straight lines of beaded-board walls. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025

Take a look at The Row's technical mesh sneakers, or the ruffled crochet trim adorning these Alohas sneakers. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing ruffled

• ruffled the feathers of

Rhymes for ruffled

• muffled
• shuffled
• unruffled