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

Not just polite smiles, tacit acceptances of paparazzi attention, but broad, knowing smiles, teeth visible, eyes crinkling. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

His face lit up, the eyes crinkled, the smile reached its widest, and the finger wagged at me again. —Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024

Noun

Or start with classic dessert flavors, like crème brulee or black forest, and reimagine them as a macaron, mochi donut, or crinkle cake. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2024

Panko crusted chicken tender box with crispy panko tenders, pickle slaw, King’s Hawaiian roll, Gonzo sauce, bread and butter pickles and crinkle cut fries. —Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 23 Mar. 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