crinkle

1 of 2

verb

crin·​kle ˈkriŋ-kəl 

crinkled; crinkling ˈkriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to form many short bends or ripples

b

: wrinkle

2

: to give forth a thin crackling sound : rustle

crinkling silks

transitive verb

: to cause to crinkle : make crinkles in

crinkle

2 of 2

noun

1

: wrinkle, corrugation, pucker

2

: any of several virus diseases of plants marked by crinkling of leaves

crinkly

ˈkriŋ-k(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• rustle

Noun

• crease
• crimp
• furrow
• wrinkle

Examples of crinkle in a Sentence

Verb

The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles.

a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

Noun

little crinkles at the corners of his mouth showed whenever he smiled

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The books are massive, covered in a riot of colors and filled with huge, crinkling pages that can be flipped through like an actual book. —Angele Latham, The Tennessean, 16 Aug. 2024

The jacket features two-way stretch for mobility and makes minimal noise on the run—there’s no annoying swoosh-swoosh or crinkling sound with every arm swing. —Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

The secret of the chocolate crinkle cookie is a dough that rises and expands, then settles again to crack and crinkle just so. —Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

Sweet treats available to order include ginger snaps, peppermint bites, gingerbread people and chocolate crinkles. —Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English crynkelen; akin to Old English cringan to yield

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crinkle

1 of 2 verb

crin·​kle ˈkriŋ-kəl 

crinkled; crinkling -k(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to form or cause little waves or wrinkles on the surface

2

: rustle entry 1 sense 1

crinkle

2 of 2 noun

: wrinkle entry 1 sense 1, ripple

crinkly

-k(ə-)lē 

adjective