crinkle

[ kring-kuhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, crin·kled, crin·kling.

1. to wrinkle; crimple; ripple.
2. to make slight, sharp sounds; rustle.
3. to turn or wind in many little bends and twists.

noun

1. a wrinkle or ripple.
2. a crinkling sound.
3. a turn or twist.

crinkle

/ ˈkrɪŋkəl /

verb

1. to form or cause to form wrinkles, twists, or folds
2. to make or cause to make a rustling noise

noun

1. a wrinkle, twist, or fold
2. a rustling noise

Word History and Origins

Origin of crinkle¹

1350–1400; Middle English crinklen; akin to Old English crincan to bend, yield, Dutch krinkelen to crinkle; cringle, cringe, crank ¹, -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of crinkle¹

Old English crincan to bend, give way; related to Middle Dutch krinkelen to crinkle, Middle High German krank weak, ill, krenken to weaken

Example Sentences

Evoke rugged cowgirl with the large brushed leather tote, or latex queen with the shiny crinkled leather minibag.

From Los Angeles Times

“Animal organs, ground up!” one guest squealed, crinkling his nose.

From Los Angeles Times

Layering newspapers atop the mattress was another trick; the crinkling sent the vermin scampering.

From Los Angeles Times

Jack crinkled his forehead, struggling to remember his lessons from school.

From Literature

When his brown eyes crinkled in a good-day grin, she couldn’t help but grin back.

From Literature

Related Words

• pucker
• scrunch