unruffled
un-RUFF-uld
/ʌnˈrʌf.əld/
Not disordered or disarranged; calm and unbothered by stress.
Evokes a metaphor of feathers or clothes that remain smooth despite gusts of wind.
The story behind the word. Ruffle originally referred to the wrinkling or disturbing of bird feathers. A bird whose plumage remains flat in a breeze is 'unruffled', an image transferred in the 17th century to calm human spirits.
Word relationships
- composed: Composed emphasizes control over feelings; unruffled emphasizes looking smooth and unaffected.
- ruffled: Ruffled means agitated, annoyed, or physically disarranged.
- flustered: Flustered means confused and agitated by hurry or excitement.
Commonly confused with
- unraveled: Unraveled means untangled or fallen apart; unruffled means remaining completely calm.
Collocations
- unruffled composure
- unruffled surface
- remain unruffled
- unruffled demeanor
Idioms & expressions
- without ruffling a feather
Example sentences
- "Despite the harsh accusations thrown at him, he stood unruffled at the podium." Observation of behavior
- "The surface of the mountain tarn remained unruffled by the faint evening breeze." Nature writing
Memory hook
UN-RUFFLED feathers on a calm duck floating peacefully. Smooth feathers in a storm.
When not to use
Do not use if the calm is fake, forced, or clearly hiding intense violent panic.
Fun facts
- In Victorian fashion, ruffled collars were easily crushed; being 'unruffled' meant keeping your expensive formal wear perfectly pristine.
Explore more words
unflappable, imperturbable, uninterrupted, tranquil, composure, unnerved
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