wrinkle

1 of 2

noun

wrin·​kle ˈriŋ-kəl How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)
1
: a small ridge or furrow especially when formed on a surface by the shrinking or contraction of a smooth substance : crease
specifically : one in the skin especially when due to age, worry, or fatigue
2
b
: a change in a customary procedure or method
c
: something new or different : innovation
3
wrinkly adjective

wrinkle

2 of 2

verb

wrinkled; wrinkling ˈriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to become marked with or contracted into wrinkles

transitive verb

: to contract into wrinkles : pucker

Examples of wrinkle in a Sentence

Noun Here's the latest wrinkle in the story—we find out that the villain is actually the hero's father! He has added some new wrinkles to his game. Verb Moisture caused the wallpaper to wrinkle and peel. His brow wrinkled as he thought about the question. Try not to wrinkle your trousers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This unique ingredient promises to combat fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 Our Uniform An Iranian girl unfolds her school memories on the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform. Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Research shows that daily supplementation with hydrolyzed collagen improves skin hydration, elasticity and lessens wrinkles. Kate Donnelly, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Seeing a marked improvement in lines, wrinkles, and sagging can depend largely on the individual. Meirav Devash, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024 Another wrinkle is that not everyone responds to these kinds of medications in the same way. Dani Blum, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 Zinc is also used in dermatology to treat several ailments, such as eczema, acne, and even wrinkles. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 From dryness to smoothing out the appearance of wrinkles, hyaluronic acid does a lot to keep our skin looking and feeling healthy. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2024 It’s designed to even skin tone and boost collagen production to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Anna Smoot, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
And, of course, anything that wrinkles or creases easily should go on a hanger. Helen Carefoot, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024 His mask, which covered his entire head and face, looked shockingly realistic with white hair, bushy eyebrows, wrinkles around the mouth and a full mustache. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024 If your curtains get especially wrinkled, taking them down and ironing them out every once in a while will keep them looking fresh. Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2023 The waffle weave doesn’t wrinkle, so there’s no need to get your iron out. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2023 For one thing, Beckham doesn’t wrinkle, and neither do her clothes. Danielle Pergament, Allure, 14 Dec. 2023 It’s made from silky polyester-satin that’s unlikely to wrinkle, shrink, or fade – even after dozens of washes. Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2023 There’s nothing more disheartening than opening your suitcase after a grueling travel day to find your clothing wrinkled, toiletries spewed, and liquids leaking. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 6 Dec. 2023 This jacket manages to pack up to roughly the size of a mango without looking wrinkled when it’s unfurled. Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wrinkle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, back-formation from wrinkled twisted, winding, probably from Old English gewrinclod, past participle of gewrinclian to wind, from ge-, perfective prefix + -wrinclian (akin to wrencan to wrench) — more at co-

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrinkle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near wrinkle

Cite this Entry

“Wrinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrinkle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wrinkle

1 of 2 noun
wrin·​kle ˈriŋ-kəl How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)
1
: a crease or small fold on a surface (as of the skin or a piece of cloth)
2
: a clever or new method, trick, or idea
wrinkly adjective

wrinkle

2 of 2 verb
wrinkled; wrinkling -k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)
: to develop or cause to develop wrinkles

Medical Definition

wrinkle

1 of 2 noun
wrin·​kle ˈriŋ-kəl How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)
: a small ridge or furrow in the skin especially when due to age, worry, or fatigue

wrinkle

2 of 2 verb
wrinkled; wrinkling -k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce wrinkle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to become marked with or contracted into wrinkles

transitive verb

: to contract into wrinkles
wrinkled skin

More from Merriam-Webster on wrinkle

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