noun

wrinkle

RIHNGKL

Quiz me More like this

Wrinkle (noun) means a small crease or fold in an otherwise smooth surface, especially skin or fabric. Example: “She noticed new wrinkles around her eyes when she smiled.”

noun

A small crease or fold in an otherwise smooth surface, especially skin or fabric.

"She noticed new wrinkles around her eyes when she smiled."

A small problem or imperfection that still needs to be resolved.

"There are a few wrinkles to iron out before the product launches."

verb

To form small creases or folds in something.

"The shirt wrinkled badly after being packed in the suitcase."

How to use wrinkle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small crease in skin or fabric, or a minor problem that still needs fixing.

Common pairings

iron out the wrinkles a wrinkle in the plan anti-wrinkle cream

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like wrinkle.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: wrinkles
Third person singular: wrinkles
Past tense: wrinkled

Test yourself on “wrinkle” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She noticed new _____ around her eyes when she smiled.

Etymology

This word came into English via Middle English wrinkle or wrynkel (“crease, fold, wrinkle”), from the related verb. It is cognate with Dutch wrinkel (“wrinkle, crease”). Compare also Middle English runkel (“wrinkle”), from Old Norse hrukka (“wrinkle”), from Proto-Germanic *hrunkwǭ (“wrinkle, crease”), which also gave French fronce (“crooked smile, scowl, frown”), German Runzel (“wrinkle”), Danish rynke (“wrinkle”) and Swedish rynka and rynkla (“wrinkle”).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

line purse crisp seam crease furrow rumple crumple ruckle crinkle scrunch scrunch up

Related words

line cool fresh sentence row cable sharp quote

Rhymes for wrinkle

winkle tinkle Hinkle twinkle sprinkle periwinkle

See all rhymes for wrinkle →

Frequently asked questions

What does “wrinkle” mean?

The word “wrinkle” means a small crease or fold in an otherwise smooth surface, especially skin or fabric. In plain terms, a small crease in skin or fabric, or a minor problem that still needs fixing.

How do you pronounce “wrinkle”?

“Wrinkle” is pronounced RIHNGKL (/ˈɹɪŋkl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “wrinkle” in a sentence?

Here is “wrinkle” used in a sentence: “She noticed new wrinkles around her eyes when she smiled.”

What part of speech is “wrinkle”?

Depending on how it is used, “wrinkle” can be a noun and a verb.

How many meanings does “wrinkle” have?

“Wrinkle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small crease or fold in an otherwise smooth surface, especially skin or fabric.

People also searched

line cool fresh sentence row cable sharp quote