What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shaggy
Example
The dog's shaggy coat was in need of a trim. [shaggy: adjective]
Example
He emerged from the woods, his shaggy hair and beard making him look like a wild man. [shaggy: adjective]
Example
The garden was filled with shaggy bushes and tall grass. [shaggy: adjective]
ruffled
Example
The bird's ruffled feathers indicated it had just taken flight. [ruffled: adjective]
Example
She smoothed out her ruffled dress before entering the meeting. [ruffled: adjective]
Example
His ruffled expression showed he was not pleased with the situation. [ruffled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruffled is more commonly used than shaggy in everyday language. Ruffled is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shaggy is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shaggy and ruffled?
Both shaggy and ruffled are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts.
