What's the difference between 'crimp' and 'crinkle'?

'Crimp' implies a deliberate, often regular, pattern of folds or waves (like hair or pie crust). 'Crinkle' suggests a more random, often smaller, wrinkling or rustling (like crinkled paper or foil).

Can 'crimp' be used as a noun?

Yes, though less common. It can refer to the act of crimping, the folded state itself ('the crimp in her hair'), or an obstacle ('a crimp in our plans'). In electrical/mechanical contexts, a 'crimp' is the connector or the compressed joint.

Is 'crimp' related to 'crimson' or 'crime'?

No. 'Crimp' comes from Old English 'gecrympan' (to curl). 'Crimson' comes from Arabic via Old Spanish, and 'crime' comes from Latin 'crimen'. They are false friends.

How do I use 'put a crimp in' correctly?

It's an idiomatic phrasal verb meaning 'to hinder or restrict'. Structure: 'put a crimp in [something, usually a plan, activity, or process]'. Example: 'The budget cuts put a crimp in the research department's new project.'

crimp

UK/krɪmp/US/krɪmp/

Technical, formal, informal (in specific contexts like 'hair crimping', 'crimp someone's style').

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

To press or squeeze something, especially fabric or metal, into small, regular folds or ridges.

To restrict, hinder, or have a negative effect on something, such as plans, style, or economic growth.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The core physical meaning involves creating a folded or wavy pattern, often for decorative, functional (electrical connections), or textural purposes. The metaphorical extension to 'hinder' is common but less frequent.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minimal. Both use all core and extended meanings. 'Crimp' in the context of hair styling (crimping iron) is universally understood.

Connotations

In business contexts, 'to crimp profits/supply' is slightly more common in American financial journalism.

Frequency

Slightly higher frequency in AmE, particularly in the 'hinder' sense and in technical manufacturing contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

put a crimp incrimp connectioncrimp ironcrimp hair

medium

crimp stylecrimp profitscrimp earningscrimp growth

weak

crimp fabriccrimp edgecrimp metalcrimp pipe

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[transitive] to crimp sth[transitive] to crimp sth on sth[transitive] to put a crimp in sth

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

hinderrestricthamperimpede

Neutral

creasecorrugateflutepleat

Weak

foldrufflewrinklesqueeze

Vocabulary

Antonyms

smooth outflattenfacilitatepromote

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“put a crimp in something”
“crimp someone's style”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

'The new regulations are expected to crimp the company's expansion plans.'

Academic

Rare, except in technical fields like materials science or electrical engineering.

Everyday

Mostly in the context of hair styling ('She used a crimping iron for the 80s look.') or metaphorically ('Bad weather really put a crimp in our picnic.').

Technical

Common in electrical work (crimp a terminal onto a wire), plumbing, and metalworking (to join/seal).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

You need to crimp the pastry edges to seal the pie properly.
The supply chain issues have crimped our production capacity.

American English

First, crimp the metal terminal onto the bare wire.
Rising interest rates could crimp consumer spending this quarter.

adverb

British English

No standard adverbial form in common use.

American English

No standard adverbial form in common use.

adjective

British English

She admired the crimp finish on the metal railing.
The fabric had a pleasant crimp texture.

American English

Use a crimp sleeve for the cable connection.
He preferred the crimp pattern on the old wallpaper.

Examples

By CEFR Level

My grandmother taught me how to crimp the edge of a fruit pie.
She used a special iron to crimp her hair for the party.

The electrician showed us how to properly crimp the connectors for a secure fit.
The sudden rain put a real crimp in our outdoor wedding plans.

Analysts warn that the proposed tax could significantly crimp innovation in the tech sector.
The artist achieved a unique visual effect by carefully crimping the copper sheet.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a CRIMPled piece of paper or CRIMPed hair – it's all about small, tight folds or waves.

Conceptual Metaphor

RESTRICTION/OBSTACLE IS A PHYSICAL CONSTRICTION (to crimp growth).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating as 'преступление' (crime).
The 'hinder' sense is closer to 'препятствовать', 'мешать', not 'сжимать'.
For hair, it's specifically creating a zigzag pattern, not just curling ('завивать'). Use 'завивать волны' or 'гофрировать'.

Common Mistakes

Using 'crimp' as a direct synonym for 'crinkle' or 'wrinkle' (crimp implies intentional, regular pattern).
Confusing 'crimp' (verb) with 'crimped' (adjective) in compound nouns (e.g., 'crimp connector' not 'crimp connection connector').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The factory uses a machine to the ends of the pipes, creating a tight seal.

Multiple Choice

In which context is 'crimp' used metaphorically?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: 'Crimp' implies a deliberate, often regular, pattern of folds or waves (like hair or pie crust). 'Crinkle' suggests a more random, often smaller, wrinkling or rustling (like crinkled paper or foil).
: Yes, though less common. It can refer to the act of crimping, the folded state itself ('the crimp in her hair'), or an obstacle ('a crimp in our plans'). In electrical/mechanical contexts, a 'crimp' is the connector or the compressed joint.
: No. 'Crimp' comes from Old English 'gecrympan' (to curl). 'Crimson' comes from Arabic via Old Spanish, and 'crime' comes from Latin 'crimen'. They are false friends.
: It's an idiomatic phrasal verb meaning 'to hinder or restrict'. Structure: 'put a crimp in [something, usually a plan, activity, or process]'. Example: 'The budget cuts put a crimp in the research department's new project.'