Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense wrinkles, present participle wrinkling, past tense, past participle wrinkled
1. countable noun [usually plural]
Wrinkles are lines which form on someone's face as they grow old.
His face was covered with wrinkles.
Some deep wrinkles furrow his lower forehead.
Synonyms: line, fold, crease, furrow More Synonyms of wrinkle
2. verb
When someone's skin wrinkles or when something wrinkles it, lines start to form in it because the skin is getting old or damaged.
The skin on her cheeks and around her eyes was beginning to wrinkle. [VERB]
...protection against the sun's rays that age and wrinkle the skin. [VERB noun]
wrinkledadjective
I did indeed look older and more wrinkled than ever.
Synonyms: lined, furrowed, shrivelled, wizened More Synonyms of wrinkle
3. countable noun
A wrinkle is a raised fold in a piece of cloth or paper that spoils its appearance.
He noticed a wrinkle in her stocking. [+ in]
Synonyms: crease, gather, fold, crumple More Synonyms of wrinkle
4. verb
If cloth wrinkles, or if someone or something wrinkles it, it gets folds or lines in it.
Her stockings wrinkled at the ankles. [VERB]
I wrinkled the velvet. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: crease, line, gather, fold More Synonyms of wrinkle
wrinkledadjective
His suit was wrinkled and he looked very tired.
Synonyms: creased, crumpled, rumpled, crinkled More Synonyms of wrinkle
5. verb
When you wrinkle your nose or forehead, or when it wrinkles, you tighten the muscles in your face so that the skin folds.
Frannie wrinkled her nose at her daughter. [VERB noun]
Ellen's face wrinkles as if she is about to sneeze. [VERB]
More Synonyms of wrinkle
wrinkle in British English1
(ˈrɪŋkəl)
noun
1.
a slight ridge in the smoothness of a surface, such as a crease in the skin as a result of age
verb
2.
to make or become wrinkled, as by crumpling, creasing, or puckering
Derived forms
wrinkleless (ˈwrinkleless)
adjective
wrinkly (ˈwrinkly)
adjective
Word origin
C15: back formation from wrinkled, from Old English gewrinclod, past participle of wrinclian to wind around; related to Swedish vrinka to sprain, Lithuanian reñgti to twist. See wrench
wrinkle in British English2
(ˈrɪŋkəl)
noun
informal
a clever or useful trick, hint, or dodge
Word origin
Old English wrenc trick; related to Middle Low German wrank struggle, Middle High German ranc sudden turn. See wrench
wrinkle in American English1
(ˈrɪŋkəl)
noun
1.
a small ridge or furrow in a normally smooth surface, caused by contraction, crumpling, folding, etc.
2.
a crease or pucker in the skin, as any of those caused by aging, frowning, etc.
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈwrinkled or ˈwrinkling
3.
to form a wrinkle or wrinkles in, as by contracting; pucker; crease
verb intransitive
4.
to be or become wrinkled
Derived forms
wrinkly (ˈwrinkly)
adjectiveWord forms: ˈwrinklier or ˈwrinkliest
Word origin
ME wrinkel, a wrinkle, prob. back-form. < wrinkled < OE (ge)wrinclod, pp. of (ge)wrinclian, to wind about, akin to wringan, to press, wring
wrinkle in American English2
(ˈrɪŋkəl)
noun
Informal
a clever or novel trick, idea, or device
Word origin
prob. altered by assoc. with wrinkle1 < obs. wrench, a trick, artifice, ult. < OE wrenc, akin to wrench
Examples of 'wrinkle' in a sentence
wrinkle
He doesn't care about sagging skin and wrinkles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Hello, wrinkles, liver spots and cancers.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Plus, the Chinese have used gold massage rollers to smooth away wrinkles and brighten skin for centuries.
The Sun (2016)
He also has to spend a long, surprisingly vulnerable scene naked in the shower, with all the flaws and wrinkles of an older man on full display.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Bring on the grey hair and the wrinkles.
The Sun (2008)
My grandmother has fantastic genes and only about one wrinkle.
The Sun (2006)
There were rings on it like the wrinkles around his own knuckles.
Diana Wynne Jones CHARMED LIFE (1977)
We all get wrinkles because we frown and we get older.
The Sun (2013)
It is a myth that wrinkles alone make a person look old.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It also has a blur effect that softens the appearance of wrinkles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We find it works better on deeper wrinkles.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It settled green on the wrinkled grey forehead.
Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)
When you lean in you get more wrinkles and folds in your skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
You pass by the mirror and worry that your face has more wrinkles than it used to.
Christianity Today (2000)
This potent serum helps to reduce age spots and smooth wrinkles.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The jabs get rid of wrinkles by partially freezing muscles.
The Sun (2009)
Botox works by paralysing the muscles that make wrinkles.
The Sun (2010)
But no one should be made to feel they are worthless because of a few wrinkles and grey hairs.
The Sun (2009)
Others feel that antioxidants are a requirement for any product that is attempting to reduce wrinkles or aid in wrinkle control.
Brumberg, Elaine Take Care of Your Skin (1990)
Iron out any creases or wrinkles.
The Sun (2015)
Their skins will become loose, wrinkled and easy to wrest away.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
So obsessing about wrinkles isn't for you?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Why don't men get wrinkles around their mouths?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Will help fade age spots, reduce wrinkles and undo some damage caused by smoking.
The Sun (2007)
Did you feel that it in any way gave a more youthful appearance, or less wrinkled skin?
Brumberg, Elaine Take Care of Your Skin (1990)
UV rays are the biggest enemy in the fight against ageing and a major cause of wrinkles and age spots.
The Sun (2007)
The problem is that members are growing older and more wrinkled - and the younger generation do not quite see the point.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
wrinkle
British English: wrinkle /ˈrɪŋkl/ NOUN
Wrinkles are lines which form on someone's face as they grow old.
American English: wrinkle
Arabic: تـَجْعِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: ruga
Chinese: 皱纹
Croatian: bora
Czech: vráska
Danish: rynke
Dutch: rimpel
European Spanish: arruga piel
Finnish: ryppy
French: ride
German: Falte Gesicht
Greek: ρυτίδα
Italian: ruga
Japanese: しわ
Korean: 주름살
Norwegian: rynke
Polish: zmarszczka
European Portuguese: ruga
Romanian: rid
Russian: морщина
Latin American Spanish: arruga
Swedish: rynka
Thai: รอยย่นบนผิว
Turkish: kırışık
Ukrainian: зморшка
Vietnamese: vết nhăn
Chinese translation of 'wrinkle'
wrinkle
(ˈrɪŋkl)
n(c)
(on skin) 皱(皺)纹(紋) (zhòuwén)
(in paper, cloth etc) 褶皱(皺) (zhězhòu) (个(個), gè)
vt
[forehead]皱(皺)起 (zhòuqǐ)
vi
[skin]起皱(皺)纹(紋) (qǐ zhòuwén)
[paint, paper etc]有皱(皺)痕 (yǒu zhòuhén)
to wrinkle one's nose (at sth)(对(對)某事)皱(皺)鼻子 ((duì mǒushì) zhòu bízi)
1 (noun)
Definition
a slight ridge in the smoothness of a surface, such as a crease in the skin as a result of age
His face was covered with wrinkles.
Synonyms
line
He has a large, generous face with deep lines.
fold
crease
There were tiny creases at the corner of his eyes.
furrow
Deep furrows marked the corner of his mouth.
pucker
crow's-foot
corrugation
2 (noun)
Definition
a slight ridge in the smoothness of a surface, such as a crease in the skin as a result of age
He noticed a wrinkle in the material.
Synonyms
crease
gather
fold
Make another fold and turn the ends together.
crumple
furrow
rumple
pucker
small puckers in the material
crinkle
The fabric was smooth, without a crinkle.
corrugation
(verb)
Definition
to develop or cause to develop wrinkles
I wrinkled the velvet.The skin around her eyes had begun to wrinkle.
Synonyms
crease
Most outfits crease a bit when you're travelling.
Liz sat down carefully, so as not to crease her skirt.
line
Her face was lined with concern.
gather
Gather the skirt at the waist.
fold
He folded the paper carefully.
crumple
She sat down carefully, so as not to crumple her skirt.
ruck
furrow
My boss furrowed his brow.
rumple
I leaned forward to rumple his hair.
pucker
She puckered her lips at the sour taste of lemon.
crinkle
When she laughs, her eyes crinkle.
corrugate
Opposites
level
,
press
,
iron
,
smooth
,
unfold
,
flatten
,
straighten
,
even out
(noun)
Synonyms
trick
That was a really mean trick.
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
idea
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
scheme
a quick money-making scheme
tip
device
His actions are obviously a device to buy time.
stunt
a bold promotional stunt
dodge
It was probably just a dodge to stop you going away.
ploy
a cynical marketing ploy
gimmick
It's just a public relations gimmick.
wheeze (British, slang)
She came up with a clever wheeze to get round the problem.
ruse
This was a ruse to divide them.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of crinkle
Definition
a crease or fold
The fabric was smooth, without a crinkle.
Synonyms
crease,
wrinkle,
crumple,
ruffle,
twist,
fold,
curl,
rumple,
pucker,
crimp,
crimple,
scallop,
cockle
in the sense of crinkle
Definition
to become slightly creased or folded
When she laughs, her eyes crinkle.
Synonyms
crease,
wrinkle,
crumple,
pucker,
fold,
curl,
crimp,
crimple,
twist,
ruffle,
scallop,
rumple,
cockle
in the sense of crumple
Definition
to crush or become crushed into untidy wrinkles or creases
She sat down carefully, so as not to crumple her skirt.
Synonyms
crease,
wrinkle,
rumple,
ruffle,
pucker
Synonyms of 'wrinkle'
wrinkle
Explore 'wrinkle' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of device
Definition
a scheme or plan
His actions are obviously a device to buy time.
Synonyms
ploy,
scheme,
strategy,
plan,
design,
project,
shift,
trick,
manoeuvre,
stunt,
dodge,
expedient,
ruse,
artifice,
gambit,
stratagem,
wile
in the sense of dodge
Definition
a cunning and deceitful trick
It was probably just a dodge to stop you going away.
Synonyms
trick,
scheme,
ploy,
trap,
device,
fraud,
con (slang),
manoeuvre,
deception,
scam (slang),
gimmick,
hoax,
wheeze (British, slang),
deceit,
ruse,
artifice,
subterfuge,
canard,
feint,
stratagem,
contrivance,
machination,
fastie (Australian, slang)
in the sense of fold
Definition
a mark, crease, or hollow made by folding
Make another fold and turn the ends together.
Synonyms
crease,
turn,
gather,
bend,
layer,
overlap,
wrinkle,
pleat,
ruffle,
furrow,
knife-edge,
double thickness,
folded portion
in the sense of fold
Definition
to bend double so that one part covers another
He folded the paper carefully.
Synonyms
bend,
double,
gather,
tuck,
overlap,
crease,
pleat,
crumple,
intertwine,
double over,
turn under,
dog-ear
in the sense of furrow
Definition
any long deep groove, esp. a deep wrinkle on the forehead
Deep furrows marked the corner of his mouth.
Synonyms
wrinkle,
line,
crease,
crinkle,
crow's-foot,
gather,
fold,
crumple,
rumple,
pucker,
corrugation
in the sense of furrow
Definition
to become wrinkled
My boss furrowed his brow.
Synonyms
wrinkle,
knit,
draw together,
crease,
seam,
flute,
corrugate
in the sense of gather
Definition
to draw (fabric) into small folds or tucks
Gather the skirt at the waist.
Synonyms
fold,
tuck,
pleat,
ruffle,
pucker,
shirr
in the sense of gimmick
Definition
something designed to attract attention or publicity
It's just a public relations gimmick.
Synonyms
stunt,
trick,
device,
scheme,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
ploy,
gambit,
stratagem,
contrivance
in the sense of idea
Definition
a scheme, intention, or plan
It's a good idea to keep a stock of tins in the cupboard.
Synonyms
plan,
scheme,
proposal,
design,
theory,
strategy,
method,
solution,
suggestion,
recommendation,
proposition
in the sense of plan
Definition
a method thought out for doing or achieving something
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
Synonyms
scheme,
system,
design,
idea,
programme,
project,
proposal,
strategy,
method,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
device,
scenario,
proposition,
contrivance
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ploy
Definition
a manoeuvre designed to gain an advantage in a situation
a cynical marketing ploy
Synonyms
tactic,
move,
trick,
device,
game,
scheme,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
ruse,
gambit,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
contrivance,
wile
in the sense of pucker
Definition
a wrinkle or crease
small puckers in the material
Synonyms
wrinkle,
fold,
crease,
crumple,
ruck,
crinkle,
ruckle
in the sense of pucker
Definition
to gather into wrinkles
She puckered her lips at the sour taste of lemon.
Synonyms
wrinkle,
tighten,
purse,
pout,
contract,
gather,
knit,
crease,
compress,
crumple,
ruffle,
furrow,
screw up,
crinkle,
draw together,
ruck up,
ruckle
in the sense of rumple
Definition
to make or become crumpled or dishevelled
I leaned forward to rumple his hair.
Synonyms
ruffle,
crush,
disorder,
dishevel,
wrinkle,
crease,
crumple,
screw up,
mess up,
pucker,
crinkle,
scrunch,
tousle,
derange,
muss (US, Canadian)
in the sense of ruse
Definition
an action or plan intended to mislead someone
This was a ruse to divide them.
Synonyms
trick,
deception,
ploy,
hoax,
device,
manoeuvre,
dodge,
sham,
artifice,
blind,
subterfuge,
stratagem,
wile,
imposture (formal)
in the sense of scheme
Definition
a secret plot
a quick money-making scheme
Synonyms
plot,
dodge,
ploy,
ruse,
game (informal),
shift,
intrigue,
conspiracy,
manoeuvre,
machinations,
subterfuge,
stratagem
in the sense of stunt
Definition
anything spectacular or unusual done to gain publicity
a bold promotional stunt
Synonyms
feat,
act,
trick,
exploit,
deed,
tour de force,
gest (archaic)
in the sense of wheeze
Definition
a trick or plan
She came up with a clever wheeze to get round the problem.