crinkle
B2Neutral to slightly formal. More common in written or descriptive language than casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
To form small, sharp folds or wrinkles; to make a soft, crackling sound.
A slight, often irregular, physical distortion causing a surface to become creased or wavy, as in paper or fabric; the associated rustling sound.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies many small, irregular folds (unlike a single 'crease') and can be visual, auditory, or both. Can describe both the action and the resulting state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar. 'Crinkle-cut' for crisps/chips is standard. No significant grammatical or syntactic differences.
Connotations
Slightly more poetic or evocative in both dialects. Often associated with specific textures (paper, foil, dry leaves).
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both dialects, with comparable usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + OBJECT (He crinkled the paper.)VERB + ADV/ADJ (The foil crinkles loudly.)VERB + (up) (Her eyes crinkled up with laughter.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in packaging or textile industries (e.g., 'crinkle-resistant finish').
Academic
Rare. Could appear in descriptive prose within literature or in texts describing physical properties of materials.
Everyday
Most common in descriptions of sounds, textures, or facial expressions (crinkling eyes/nose).
Technical
Used in manufacturing or materials science (e.g., 'crinkle finish' on paint, 'crinkle cotton').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old map began to crinkle at the edges.
- She crinkled her nose at the strange smell.
- The crisp packet crinkled noisily.
American English
- His eyes crinkled when he smiled.
- Try not to crinkle your suit before the interview.
- The dry leaves crinkled underfoot.
adverb
British English
- The paper folded crinkly.
American English
- The foil lay crinkly on the table.
adjective
British English
- She wore a blouse made of crinkle cotton.
- They served crinkle-cut oven chips.
American English
- The fabric had a nice crinkle texture.
- I prefer crinkle-cut fries over regular ones.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The paper is crinkled.
- I don't like it when my clothes crinkle.
- He crinkled the letter in his hand.
- The sound of crinkling plastic came from the kitchen.
- A smile crinkled the corners of her eyes.
- The heat caused the paint to crinkle and peel.
- The philosopher's brow crinkled in deep concentration, creating a labyrinth of tiny lines.
- The artist used a crinkled sheet of foil to create an intriguing texture in the sculpture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound and feel of a crisp, new banknote – it 'crinkles'. Link the 'kri-' sound to 'crisp'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND FOR TEXTURE (The crinkle tells you it's there). HAPPINESS IS A WRINKLED FACE (Eyes crinkle with joy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'морщить' which is broader (to frown, to wrinkle). 'Crinkle' is specifically for many small, often pleasant or neutral wrinkles/sounds. 'Скрипеть' is for loud, harsh squeaks, not soft crinkles.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'crinkle' for a single, sharp fold (use 'crease'). Overusing in formal writing. Incorrectly using as a direct translation for 'хрустеть' (which is closer to 'crunch').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as 'crinkling'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it primarily describes the formation of many small wrinkles or folds. The sound (a soft rustling/crackling) is a common associated feature, but not always present (e.g., 'crinkled eyes').
'Wrinkle' is the general term for a small fold (skin, cloth). 'Crease' is a sharp, defined line made by folding (trousers, paper). 'Crinkle' implies many small, often irregular or random wrinkles and often includes a sound component.
Yes. As a noun, it means a small, sharp wrinkle or the sound such a wrinkle makes (e.g., 'the crinkles around his eyes', 'the crinkle of cellophane').
Yes, as an adjective. It's frequently used to describe things that are full of crinkles or that make a crinkling sound (e.g., 'crinkly hair', 'crinkly paper').