# ruffle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹʌfəl/ · frequency rank #37,663

## Definitions
1. Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
2. Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
3. A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
4. The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.

## Etymology
From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla (“to graze, scratch”) or Middle Low German ruffelen (“to wrinkle, curl”). Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.

## Easily confused with
- **rule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruffle-vs-rule)
- **rumble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruffle-vs-rumble)
- **rustle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruffle-vs-rustle)
- **ruffled** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruffle-vs-ruffled)
- **ruff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruff-vs-ruffle)
- **rifle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rifle-vs-ruffle)
- **ruble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruble-vs-ruffle)
- **rubble** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rubble-vs-ruffle)
- **raffle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/raffle-vs-ruffle)
- **Raffles** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/raffles-vs-ruffle)

## Common misspellings (7)
`rfufle`, `rruffle`, `ruffel`, `rufflle`, `rufle`, `ruflfe`, `urffle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ruffle