Crease Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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crease

[kriหs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in clothing

A line or mark made by folding or pressing cloth.

Synonyms

fold, wrinkle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crease

This word is typically used to refer to lines or folds that form in materials like fabric or paper, often unintentionally.

  • She noticed a crease in her freshly ironed shirt
fold

Use this term when referring to the act of bending something over upon itself, often in an organized or intentional manner, such as with paper or clothes.

  • Please fold the laundry before putting it away
wrinkle

This word often describes small lines or creases, particularly ones that appear on skin or fabric, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation as it implies aging or imperfection.

  • After sleeping with his dress shirt on, it was covered with wrinkles

Examples of usage

  • She ironed out the creases in her shirt.
  • The tailor removed the creases from the pants.
Context #2 | Noun

in paper

A line or mark produced by folding paper.

Synonyms

crease mark, fold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crease

Used to describe a line or ridge produced on paper or fabric when it is pressed or folded.

  • There was a crease in my shirt after it was sitting in the laundry basket for too long
  • She carefully ironed out the creases in her dress
fold

Describes bending something, especially paper, fabric, or material, to bring two parts together. Used generally rather than focusing on the resulting mark.

  • She showed me how to fold a letter properly before putting it into an envelope
  • The map was difficult to fold back neatly after we had opened it
crease mark

Refers specifically to the visible line or mark left on a surface when it has been folded. Often used when the marking is unintended or unwanted.

  • The important document had a noticeable crease mark, making it look unprofessional
  • Avoiding crease marks in your paperwork is important for a neat presentation

Examples of usage

  • He carefully folded the paper along the crease.
  • She creased the paper to make a sharp edge.
Context #3 | Verb

in sports

To make a line or mark on a surface by pressing or rubbing.

Synonyms

imprint, mark.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crease

Use in situations involving a fold or a line made on a material, especially fabric or paper.

  • She ironed the dress to remove the creases
  • The paper had a crease where it was folded
mark

Generally used for any visible indication or spot on a surface. Flexible use across multiple contexts, from simple stains to intentional notations.

  • The pen left a blue mark on the paper
  • He marked his place in the book with a ribbon
imprint

Appropriate for scenarios where you need to describe a mark made by pressing or stamping something. Often applied metaphorically to describe a lasting influence or impact.

  • The seal left an imprint on the wax
  • The experience imprinted deeply on her memory

Examples of usage

  • He creased the ball with a powerful shot.
  • The goalkeeper creased the grass as he dived for the ball.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Fashion

  • In clothing, a crease is often created deliberately to give garments a polished look, especially in dress pants.
  • Tailors use a technique called 'pressing' to create and maintain creases, enhancing the overall presentation of the outfit.
  • Certain fabrics hold creases better than others; for example, polyester blends resist wrinkling more than 100% cotton.

Art

  • Artists often use creases for texture, creating depth in paintings and sculptures.
  • In origami, precise creases are essential for transforming flat paper into intricate designs and figures.
  • Photographers sometimes utilize shadows created by creases in their compositions to add intrigue.

Nature

  • Creases can be found in nature, such as the folds in leaves that help them gather sunlight.
  • Animal skins, like that of elephants, exhibit natural creases and folds that serve a role in their biology.
  • The study of geological formations often involves examining creases in rock layers, indicating historical shifts in the Earth's crust.

Physics

  • Creases act as stress concentrators in materials; understanding this can help engineers design stronger products.
  • When bending materials, the point of creasing often experiences different tensile and compressive forces, crucial in material science.
  • Some scientists study the mechanics of crease formation in soft materials to innovate better packaging solutions.

Origin of 'crease'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English word 'crฤ“as,' which described a fold or bend.
  • In Middle English, the term evolved into 'crece,' further emphasizing the concept of bending or folding.
  • Related words in other languages include 'plis' in French and 'pliegue' in Spanish, both referring to folds or crease-like formations.

The word 'crease' originated from Middle English 'crease', which in turn came from Old English 'crฤ“ase', meaning a fold or wrinkle. The usage of 'crease' expanded to include both clothing and paper, reflecting its versatile nature in describing lines or marks made by folding or pressing. Over time, 'crease' also found a place in sports terminology, particularly in cricket and baseball, to describe a mark made on a surface. The word has evolved to become a common part of everyday language, symbolizing the act of creating a line or mark through folding or pressing.


See also: creased, creasing, decrease, increase.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,130, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.