What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tousle
Example
He tousled his son's hair before leaving for work. [tousled: verb]
Example
Her hair was tousled from the wind blowing through the car window. [tousled: adjective]
ruffle
Example
The wind ruffled the pages of the book she was reading. [ruffled: verb]
Example
His ruffled shirt collar made him look disheveled. [ruffled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ruffle is more commonly used than tousle in everyday language. Ruffle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tousle is less common and is mostly used to describe hair.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tousle and ruffle?
Both tousle and ruffle are informal words that are used in casual conversations or playful situations. They are not typically used in formal writing or professional settings.
