Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Wrinkle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👴
Add to dictionary

wrinkle

[ˈrɪŋ.kəl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

on clothes

A small line or fold in something, especially fabric or the skin.

Examples of usage

  • The shirt was neatly pressed with no wrinkles.
  • She noticed a wrinkle in her dress and quickly smoothed it out.
Context #2 | Noun

on skin

A small line or fold in the skin, typically caused by age or drying out.

Examples of usage

  • He had a few wrinkles around his eyes from years of smiling.
  • She used anti-wrinkle cream to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Context #3 | Verb

clothes

To cause a small line or fold in something, especially fabric.

Examples of usage

  • The old suitcase had been wrinkled from years of use.
  • The paper wrinkled as she crumpled it up.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Science

  • As people age, skin loses collagen and elasticity, leading to wrinkles.
  • Environmental factors like sun exposure and smoking can accelerate wrinkle formation by damaging skin tissues.

Psychology

  • Research shows that people often associate visible wrinkles with aging, which can impact self-esteem.
  • Cultural perceptions of aging vary, with some societies viewing wrinkles as signs of wisdom rather than age.

Art & Literature

  • Wrinkles can symbolize the passage of time in literature, often associated with experience and memory.
  • Artists may depict wrinkles to convey emotions or character depth, illustrating a person's life story on their face.

Pop Culture

  • In various media, characters with prominent wrinkles are often portrayed as wise and experienced, reinforcing the stereotype of older individuals.
  • Beauty trends often promote anti-aging products that claim to reduce the visibility of wrinkles, highlighting societal obsessions with youth.

Origin of 'wrinkle'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'wrincian', which means to twist or to fold.
  • In the 14th century, the term began to refer specifically to lines or folds, particularly in cloth and skin.

The word 'wrinkle' originated from Middle English 'wrinkel', which is of Germanic origin. It dates back to the late 14th century and originally meant 'a small ridge or furrow'. Over time, it came to be associated with lines or folds in fabric or skin, reflecting the natural aging process.

See also: wrinkled.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,369, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.