Word
rustle
Phoneticsrus·tle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹəsəɫ/
UK/ɹˈʌsəl/
Definitions
01to make a soft sound
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a soft, dry sound while moving, like paper or leaves.
v. to move or cause to move with a soft, crackling sound, typically produced by the friction of dry materials like leaves, silk, or paper.
“The dry leaves rustled under my feet as I walked through the park.”
“The wind rustled the heavy silk curtains, creating a gentle sound that filled the otherwise silent library.”
Usage
Often used as an ergative verb, where the subject can be the thing moving or the person causing the movement.
02to steal livestock
C1 · Advanced American English
v. to steal farm animals like cows or horses.
v. to steal livestock, particularly cattle, horses, or sheep, from a farm or ranch.
“In the old movies, outlaws would often rustle cattle from the local ranches.”
“The gang was notorious for their ability to rustle hundreds of head of cattle across the border without being detected by the authorities.”
Usage
This sense is transitive and almost exclusively applied to livestock.
03to prepare quickly
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal · British English
v. to quickly find or prepare something, especially food.
v. to produce, prepare, or collect something quickly and energetically; usually followed by 'up'.
“Give me ten minutes and I can rustle up some eggs for breakfast.”
“Despite the late hour, the host managed to rustle up a decent meal for the unexpected guests using only what was in the pantry.”
Usage
Commonly functions as a phrasal verb 'rustle up'.
Synonyms
04a soft sound
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a soft, dry sound made by things rubbing together.
n. a light, soft sound of things gently rubbing together.
“I heard a rustle in the bushes and wondered if it was a small animal.”
“The only sound in the room was the faint rustle of pages as the students worked through their exam papers.”
Real-World Examples
“I can hear the stream rushing, a rustle in the wet leaves.” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. rustle up
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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