Meaning & use
ruffles
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“ruffles” is a form of “ruffle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounusually plural
Strips of cloth gathered or pleated on one edge and attached to clothing or fabric as decoration.
Grammar: Usually plural: 'a dress with ruffles'. The singular 'ruffle' means one such strip.
Patterns
- a dress with ruffles
- ruffles on something
She wore a blouse with delicate ruffles down the front.
The curtains had ruffles at the top.
The baby's bonnet was trimmed with lace ruffles.
verbtransitive
Third-person singular of 'ruffle': to disturb the smooth surface of something or make someone upset.
Grammar: Takes an object: 'The wind ruffles her hair.'
Patterns
- ruffles something
- ruffles someone's hair
The breeze ruffles the surface of the lake.
He gently ruffles his son's hair.
Her calm manner never ruffles him.
Word forms
| singular | ruffle |
|---|
Common combinations
- a dress with ruffles
- The little girl twirled in her dress with ruffles.
- lace ruffles
- The Victorian gown was adorned with lace ruffles.
- ruffles and flourishes
- The wedding cake was decorated with ruffles and flourishes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- frills
- Similar decorative strips, but 'frills' often imply a lighter, more delicate trim.
- pleats
- Folds of fabric, often pressed; ruffles are gathered and more decorative.
Word family
Commonly confused: ruffles or ruffle?
ruffles vs ruffle
The singular noun or the verb; 'ruffles' is the plural noun or third-person verb.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'ruffles' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Ruffles' as a noun means decorative strips of fabric, so a skirt with ruffles makes sense. Option 0 is grammatically possible but uses the verb; options 2 and 3 are odd because 'ruffle' as a verb means to disturb a surface or someone's calm, not to place an object or move a tail.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ruffles”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.