ruffling
ruffling — verb
- rufflingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rufflings3rd person singular
- rufflinging-ing form
- rufflingedpast simple
1. to make something that was smooth become uneven, messy, or no longer flat — for
to make something that was smooth become uneven, messy, or no longer flat — for example, when wind ruffles the surface of water, or when you gently ruffle a child's hair with your hand
A strong gust of wind ruffled the surface of the lake near Sofia's cottage.
passive-like: wind ruffles [water surface]
The little girl giggled when her grandmother gently ruffled her hair.
collocation: ruffle [someone's] hair
As Marco turned the page, the breeze ruffled the papers on his desk.
The pigeon ruffled its feathers and shook off the raindrops.
Sumin spent the morning smoothing the tablecloth that the wind had ruffled.
- smooth
making something flat and even again
文法句型
ruffle + noun phrase
用法筆記
Object is often hair, feathers, water, fabric, or paper — things that are normally smooth or flat.
常見錯誤
2. to make someone feel slightly angry, worried, or uncomfortable, especially by di
to make someone feel slightly angry, worried, or uncomfortable, especially by disturbing their usual calm or confident mood
The reporter's repeated questions about his past began to ruffle the actor.
collocation: questions ruffle [someone]
Amira's calm mood was easily ruffled by loud noises early in the morning.
passive: [someone] is easily ruffled by [something]
Jason tried not to let the negative feedback ruffle his confidence before the presentation.
Nothing seems to ruffle Yuna — she stays calm even during emergencies.
- fluster
focuses more on making someone confused and nervous than angry
- agitate
stronger, suggests more serious worry or upset
- discompose
formal, means to disturb someone's calm or composure
文法句型
ruffle + noun phrase (person)
用法筆記
Often used in the negative ("nothing ruffles him") or in passive constructions ("easily ruffled"). The idiomatic phrase "ruffle someone's feathers" extends this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to mix playing cards into a different order before a card game begins, so that t
to mix playing cards into a different order before a card game begins, so that the order is left to chance
The dealer ruffled the cards three times and offered the deck to the player on her left.
sequence: ruffle + offer deck
Eli practiced for weeks until he could ruffle the deck smoothly with one hand.
collocation: ruffle the deck with one hand
A beginner player watched nervously as the dealer ruffled the cards before starting the game.
The players agreed to let the youngest child ruffle the deck before the first round.
文法句型
ruffle + noun phrase (cards/deck)
用法筆記
This sense is specific to card games and is largely synonymous with 'shuffle'. 'Ruffle' is less common in everyday conversation; 'shuffle' is the more neutral term.
常見錯誤
4. to fold or gather a piece of cloth into a series of small even folds, creating a
to fold or gather a piece of cloth into a series of small even folds, creating a decorative edge or trim for clothing or curtains
The tailor carefully ruffled the silk strip to create a trim for the evening dress.
collocation: ruffle [fabric] to create [thing]
Hoa learned how to ruffle the cloth evenly using a sewing machine.
Aylin added a ruffled strip along the curtain bottom to match the room's vintage look.
The costume designer ruffled the edges of the cape to give it an old-fashioned feel.
文法句型
ruffle + noun phrase (fabric)
用法筆記
Most commonly encountered in the past-participle form 'ruffled' (e.g., 'a ruffled collar'). The noun 'ruffle' is more frequent than the verb in this sense.
ruffling — noun
1. a long narrow piece of cloth that has been folded into small even folds along on
a long narrow piece of cloth that has been folded into small even folds along one edge, sewn onto clothing, curtains, or other fabric items as decoration
The little girl's party dress had white ruffles around the collar and down the front.
position: ruffles around [body part]
Amelia sewed a delicate lace ruffle along the edge of each pillowcase.
collocation: sew a ruffle
The vintage curtains were decorated with three layers of ruffles in cream and gold fabric.
Ada chose a blouse with small ruffles on the cuffs for the family gathering.
用法筆記
Ruffles are typically made of lightweight fabric like cotton, silk, or lace. They differ from pleats, which are pressed flat rather than gathered.
常見錯誤
2. a short noisy argument, fight, or excited disturbance, often involving several p
a short noisy argument, fight, or excited disturbance, often involving several people
A ruffle broke out among the fans when the referee made a controversial decision.
collocation: a ruffle breaks out
The children's ruffle over the last piece of cake was quickly settled by their mother.
What started as a small argument soon became a noisy ruffle in the hallway.
The sudden ruffle in the market scared away most of the customers.
- peace
a state of quiet and calm
用法筆記
This sense is old-fashioned or literary in modern English. 'Commotion', 'disturbance', or 'scuffle' are more common alternatives in everyday speech.
3. a ring of longer, often brightly coloured feathers around the neck of a bird; al
a ring of longer, often brightly coloured feathers around the neck of a bird; also a historical stiff white pleated collar worn by men in the 16th and 17th centuries
The male frigate bird puffed out its red ruffle to attract a mate.
bird: puffed out ruffle to attract mate
In the portrait, the Elizabethan gentleman wore a starched white ruffle around his neck.
historical fashion: starched white ruffle
Lakshmi admired the pigeon's iridescent ruffle as it crossed the garden path.
The museum display showed a 17th-century silk ruffle with intricate lace trimming.
用法筆記
For the bird-feather sense, 'ruff' is the more precise technical term. For the historical collar, 'ruff' is also the standard word; 'ruffle' is less common but accepted.