wrinkle

¹wrin·kle

noun \ˈriŋ-kəl\

Definition of WRINKLE

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

a : method, technique

b : a change in a customary procedure or method

c : something new or different : innovation

3

: imperfection, irregularity

— wrin·kly \-k(ə-)lē\ adjective

Examples of WRINKLE

1. Here's the latest wrinkle in the story—we find out that the villain is actually the hero's father!
2. He has added some new wrinkles to his game.

Origin of WRINKLE

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: 14th century

Related to WRINKLE

Synonyms

crease, crimp, crinkle, furrow

Related Words

corrugation, layer, loop, plait, pleat, ply, pucker, seam, tuck; crow's-foot

Near Antonyms

carbon copy, clone, copy, dupe, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, imitation, reduplication, replica, replication, reproduction

Rhymes with WRINKLE

crinkle, inkle, sprinkle, tinkle, twinkle, winkle

²wrinkle

verb

wrin·kledwrin·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of WRINKLE

intransitive verb

: to become marked with or contracted into wrinkles

transitive verb

: to contract into wrinkles : pucker

Examples of WRINKLE

1. Moisture caused the wallpaper to wrinkle and peel.
2. His brow wrinkled as he thought about the question.
3. Try not to wrinkle your trousers.

First Known Use of WRINKLE

15th century

Related to WRINKLE

Synonyms

crease, crinkle, furrow, rumple

Antonyms

flatten, iron out, smooth, smoothen, uncrumple

Related Words

collapse, crumple, double, fold

Near Antonyms

even, iron, press, straighten; unfold; neaten, tidy