ébouriffer

Senses

1. 1.

   to ruffle (hair); to tousle

   to make hair stand on end or become dishevelled

2. 2.

   to astound; to flabbergast

   to surprise or shock someone greatly (figurative, informal)

Examples

• "Le vent a ébouriffé ses cheveux."

  The wind tousled her hair.

• "Cet événement a complètement ébouriffé la classe politique."

  This event completely flabbergasted the political establishment.

• "Il a l'air ébouriffé ce matin."

  He looks dishevelled this morning.

Usage

Informal and slightly colloquial register. Commonly used in both literal (hair) and figurative (shock/surprise) contexts. The past participle *ébouriffé* is very frequent as an adjective meaning 'tousled' or 'dishevelled'.