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

The crinkle fry vodka, which “honors the rich tradition of salted potato shapes,” is infused with salt and sugar, a common combo in the world of fast food fries.

From Eater

Both Sohn and Jang also manipulate simple sheets of paper, defining modest sculptural forms with cuts, folds and crinkles.

From Washington Post

The fascinating history behind why students today are still eating square pizzas, crinkle fries, and cartons of milk.

From Vox

Ginger cookies are a holiday staple in my family, and these crinkle cookies remix the traditional version.

From Washington Post

Probably the prettiest box I got was from Lesley Suter, which was filled with crinkle paper and maple sandwich cookies perfectly bound together.

From Eater

After a decade of research on two continents, BK is rolling out new crinkle-cut fries.

From The Daily Beast

It was a mix of crinkle-fabric slim skirts and swing jackets, paint-splatter prints, fur jackets and fur stoles.

From The Daily Beast

I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts.

From The Daily Beast

All at once the crinkle of a chill ran across the Chevalier's shoulders.

From Project Gutenberg

In handling the pasted guards care is needed not to stretch them, or they may cause the sheet to crinkle as they dry.

From Project Gutenberg

It made your heart crinkle up like a handful of tinsel to watch the tin-foil buds change into presents.

From Project Gutenberg

I was over there the other day, and I couldn't even hear the crinkle of one bigger than $10!

From Project Gutenberg

“He looks it,” remarked Miss Peggy, regarding the lanky, stooping figure with a crinkle of disdain in her saucy little nose.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pucker
• scrunch