Ruffling Meaning in English
word · lemma: ruffle
ˈɹəfəɫɪŋ/, /ˈɹəfɫɪŋ
RUHF-ling
ɹˈʌflɪŋ
RUHF-ling
Definition
Moving something gently or quickly so its surface becomes uneven, like hair or feathers; can also mean making someone slightly annoyed or uncomfortable.
Usage & Nuances
Often used with 'feathers', 'hair', or 'clothes'. 'Ruffling someone's feathers' is a common idiom for annoying someone. More common in written or descriptive English; 'ruffling' can describe both a physical action or emotional effect.
Spanish: alborotar - desordenar (cabello/ropa)Portuguese (BR): desalinhar - bagunçar (cabelo/roupa)Portuguese (PT): desalinhar - despentearChinese (Simplified): 弄乱 - 激怒Chinese (Traditional): 弄亂 - 激怒Hindi: फड़फड़ाना - गड़बड़ करना (बाल/कपड़े)Arabic: تشويش - إزعاجBengali: অস্থির করা - এলোমেলো করাRussian: взъерошивание - трепаниеJapanese: かき乱す - 乱すVietnamese: làm xáo trộn - làm rốiKorean: 흩뜨리기 - 헝클기Turkish: karıştırmak - dağıtmakUrdu: بگاڑنا - الجھاناIndonesian: mengacak-acak - merusak
Example Sentences
She was ruffling her cat's fur gently.
basic
The wind was ruffling the leaves on the trees.
basic
He kept ruffling his hair nervously.
basic
You're ruffling my papers—let me organize them first!
natural
Her comment ended up ruffling a few feathers at the meeting.
natural
Stop ruffling your dress; you look great already!
natural