crease

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈkrēs 

1

: a line, mark, or ridge made by or as if by folding a pliable substance

2

: a specially marked area in various sports

especially : an area surrounding or in front of a goal (as in lacrosse or hockey)

creaseless

ˈkrēs-ləs 

adjective

crease

2 of 3

verb

creased; creasing

transitive verb

1

: to make a crease in or on : wrinkle

a smile creased her face

2

: to wound slightly especially by grazing

creased by a bullet

intransitive verb

: to become creased

creaser noun

creaser

3 of 3

noun (2)

creas·​er

ˈkrē-sər

plural -s

: one that creases: such as

a

: a tool or a sewing-machine attachment for making lines or creases on leather or cloth as guides to sew by

b

: a tool for making creases or beads (as in sheet iron)

c

: a tool for making the band impression distinct on the backbones of books or for making blind lines or creases on the cases of books

Synonyms of crease

Noun (1)

• furrow

Verb

• furrow
• wrinkle

Examples of crease in a Sentence

Noun (1)

He ironed his pants to make the creases sharp.

a crease in the paper

tiny creases at the corners of his eyes

Players from the opposing team may not enter the crease.

The batsman moved out of the crease.

Verb

a neatly creased pair of pants

The pages of the book were stained and creased.

She looked up, her face creasing into a smile.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The difference in display thickness could be a clue that one of the two devices has a less visible crease than the other. — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

It’s made from mostly viscose and polyester with a touch of elastane that feels silky soft and a little stretchy—the perfect blend for a crease-free travel top. — Kenedee Fowler, Southern Living, 26 June 2026

Verb

For makeup that tends to crease or settle into fine lines, the challenge is finding a powder that sets without collecting where skin naturally folds. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 25 June 2026

Finally, whereas many concealers are prone to caking and creasing on my dry skin, Tarte’s buttery formula plumps fine lines instead of settling into crinkly areas. — Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

probably alteration of earlier creaste, from Middle English creste crest

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing crease

• pre-crease
• the crease

Rhymes for crease

• cease
• fleece
• gees
• geese
• grease
• grece
• lease
• leese
• niece
• piece
• prese
• seis

Kids Definition

crease

1 of 2 noun

ˈkrēs 

1

: a line or mark made by or as if by folding or wrinkling

2

: a specially marked area around the goal in various sports (as hockey or lacrosse)

crease

2 of 2 verb

creased; creasing

1

: to make a crease in or on

2

: to become creased

Medical Definition

crease

1 of 2 noun

ˈkrēs 

: a line or mark made by or as if by folding a pliable substance (as the skin)

crease

2 of 2 verb

creased; creasing

transitive verb

: to make a crease in or on

aging had creased her face

intransitive verb

: to become creased