Rustle Meaning
/ˈɹʌsəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.
nounA movement producing such a sound.
Sentence Examples
The leaves on the trees rustle gently in the wind.
The leaves rustle in the wind.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The leaves began to ____ softly as the wind passed through the trees.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She heard the leaves ____ in the breeze as she walked along the forest path.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"He heard the silken rustle of a dressing-gown being drawn on."
— 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:
"The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen as before; we heard the silk dress rustle, and the lady came down the steps and in an imperious voice, she said, "York, you must put those horses' heads higher, they are not fit to be seen.""
— [1877], Anna Sewell, “Earlshall”, in Black Beauty: […], London: Jarrold and Sons, […], →OCLC, part II, page 104:
"When at last the lumber was piled again in its rightful place, and the boxes of food had been returned to the shelter from which they had been stolen, the two friends rustled a meal, and then set off on horseback […]"
— 1921, William M. McCoy, The Valley of the Sun, page 48:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The leaves began to ____ softly as the wind passed through the trees.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She heard the leaves ____ in the breeze as she walked along the forest path.