What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ruffling
Example
The wind was ruffling her hair as she walked along the beach. [ruffling: verb]
Example
The rude comment from her coworker really ruffled her feathers. [ruffled: past participle]
fluster
Example
The unexpected question from the teacher flustered the student. [flustered: past participle]
Example
She always gets flustered when she has to speak in public. [flustered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fluster is more commonly used than ruffling in everyday language. Fluster is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ruffling is less common and refers to a specific type of physical disturbance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ruffling and fluster?
Both ruffling and fluster are typically associated with an informal tone, but they can be used in formal contexts depending on the situation and audience.
