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

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Rhymes with WRINKLE

crinkle, inkle, sprinkle, tinkle, twinkle, winkle