rumple

1 of 2

noun

rum·​ple ˈrəm-pəl How to pronounce rumple (audio)

rumple

2 of 2

verb

rumpled; rumpling ˈrəm-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumple (audio)

transitive verb

1
2
: to make unkempt : tousle

Examples of rumple in a Sentence

Verb He rumpled her hair affectionately. the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But not every man is going to read poetry out of rumples. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 July 2023 The sleeves of her green satin gown are rolled up at her wrists, and its skirt rumples against the polished floor. Stephen O’Connor, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2020 The front-runner to be the next British prime minister, Boris Johnson, is barnstorming across the countryside, campaigning on his Latin-quoting, rumple-suited, Oxford-educated, optimistic, populist Englishness. Washington Post, 6 July 2019 The end of Chasm 1 is currently about 2.5 miles away from the ice rumples. National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2019 The rumples form when the bottom of the ice shelf, which flows downhill toward the ocean like very slow putty, runs up against an underwater ridge. National Geographic, 25 Mar. 2019 Or Liz Taylor, whose luxe rumple of espresso curls had all the drama of her famous violet eyes. Sophie Schulte-Hillen, Vogue, 28 July 2018
Verb
For in-person meetings, disorganization looks like this: Carrying too much, shuffling papers, reaching into your bag repeatedly for various things, or looking rumpled like a television detective. Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 27 Jan. 2024 Soon after, Trump walked into the lobby, slightly rumpled, in a long black coat and a white shirt with a few buttons undone. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 Hunt Broken Country The best winter range is often rumpled badlands adjacent to hay and grainfields. Outdoor Life, 19 Nov. 2019 On one of the double beds, the rust-orange spread is rumpled; outside the door to the bathroom, there is water in the sink. Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023 These sheets washed well, and came out of my dryer looking rumpled, but not hopelessly creased. Lisa Lombardi, wsj.com, 25 Sep. 2023 Some sly military-industrial complex humor creeps in as Oppenheimer, clad in his signature gray waistcoat and rumpled porkpie hat, leads this massively complicated undertaking at the surly behest of Col. Leslie R. Groves (a gruffly amusing Matt Damon). Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023 The crinoline and boning typical of the brand’s founder’s creations were yanked out of the silhouettes, though, and the fabric was rumpled, underscoring Catherine’s working-woman story. Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Mar. 2023 Anthony’s lawyer, Marty Lumetta (Richard Schiff, the picture of rumpled, put-upon frustration), has also worked too many of these cases to be optimistic. Bill Goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rumple.' 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

Verb

Dutch rompelen; akin to Old High German rimpfan to wrinkle

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumple was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near rumple

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

rumple

verb
rum·​ple
ˈrəm-pəl
rumpled; rumpling
-p(ə-)liŋ

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