pucker

[ puhk-er ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to draw or gather into wrinkles or irregular folds, as material or a part of the face; constrict:

   Worry puckered his brow.

noun

1. a wrinkle; an irregular fold.
2. a puckered part, as of cloth tightly or crookedly sewn.
3. Archaic. a state of agitation or perturbation.

pucker

/ ˈpʌkə /

verb

1. to gather or contract (a soft surface such as the skin of the face) into wrinkles or folds, or (of such a surface) to be so gathered or contracted

noun

1. a wrinkle, crease, or irregular fold

Other Words From

• pucker·er noun
• un·puckered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pucker¹

1590–1600; apparently a frequentative form connected with poke ²; -er ⁶ and for the meaning purse

Word History and Origins

Origin of pucker¹

C16: perhaps related to poke ², from the creasing into baglike wrinkles

Example Sentences

Pucker up, buttercup: The team behind the London journal the Gourmand has partnered with uber-luxe Taschen on a 272-page book about the humble yet versatile lemon, offering history, design, anecdotes and even recipes, all with citrus vibes.

From Los Angeles Times

I grab a low-hanging branch, heavy with tiny apples that are so sour, they make your lips pucker if you dare eat them.

From Literature

Mattel should have considered traditional pucker toe moccasins, instead of black shoes, and included symbols on the basket that Cherokees use to tell a story, she said.

From Washington Times

If a bite of dandelion greens or extra-dark chocolate makes you pucker, there’s good reason.

From Science Magazine

However, researchers from the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Scientists believe that there may be one more called ammonium chloride, also called salmiak salt, which happens to be the ingredient that gives salmiak its signature salted pucker.

From Salon