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
Rhonda Shafner"He never got upset, never got ruffled," Colonel William Peoples, one of his former commanders, recalls.—Barry Werth
Barry Werth2
a
: adorned or trimmed with ruffles
They begin with a fiesta of old-time flamenco style in old-time heavy, ruffled costumes.—Elizabeth Zimmer
Elizabeth ZimmerBut 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
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
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
And though the devil may wear Prada, Anne Hathaway wears Ralph Lauren, arriving to camera flashes in a sheer black ruffled lace halter dress, with a daring low back and topped with a chocolate brown feather coat and black cowboy boots.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Cardi’s Super Bowl ensemble, styled by Kollin Carter, featured a short flouncy skirt (custom-made by Candice Cuoco), a corseted Zimmermann bustier, bell sleeves, and raw-ruffled edges.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
This layered style provided a nice perch for the bride’s ruffled veil to cascade to the ground.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Your 4th House of Home Support glows under the Full Moon, guiding you to settle any ruffled feathers by tending your space and honoring the rhythms that keep you grounded.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
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Anika Reed, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Cardi’s Super Bowl ensemble, styled by Kollin Carter, featured a short flouncy skirt (custom-made by Candice Cuoco), a corseted Zimmermann bustier, bell sleeves, and raw-ruffled edges.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026
This layered style provided a nice perch for the bride’s ruffled veil to cascade to the ground.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2026
Your 4th House of Home Support glows under the Full Moon, guiding you to settle any ruffled feathers by tending your space and honoring the rhythms that keep you grounded.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ruffled
Cite this Entry
“Ruffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruffled. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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