Word
crimp
US/ˈkɹɪmp/
UK/kɹˈɪmp/
Definition
v. to press or pinch the edge of something to make small folds or waves. You do this to seal a pie crust, to make hair wavy, or to fasten a wire.
v. to press or fold an edge or material into small regular ridges or waves in order to shape, seal, or fasten it.
Examples
“She crimps the edge of the pie crust.”
“The electrician crimps the metal connector onto the wire to ensure a firm connection.”
“The stylist crimps sections of hair to add volume, while the baker seals each pasty with a neat row of pinched folds.”
Examples
simple
“She crimps the edge of the pie crust.”
contextual
“The electrician crimps the metal connector onto the wire to ensure a firm connection.”
complex
“The stylist crimps sections of hair to add volume, while the baker seals each pasty with a neat row of pinched folds.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “crimp” in context.
Verb
01. crimp crust
“Crimp the crust with your fingers before baking the quiche.”
verb + noun
02. crimp hair
“She used heated tongs to crimp her hair for the party.”
verb + noun
03. crimp into place
“Crimp the seal into place so no air can escape.”
verb + prep + noun
04. crimp pastry
“She learned to crimp pastry for her first apple pie.”
verb + noun
05. crimp wire
“You need a special tool to crimp wire safely at home.”
verb + noun
06. crimp with fork
“Crimp with a fork to make a neat pattern around the edge.”
verb + prep + noun
Noun
07. crimp connector
“The electrician will crimp the connector onto the cable.”
verb + noun
08. crimp edge
“Crimp the edge carefully to seal the meat pie.”
verb + noun
09. crimp seal
“Crimp the seal well or the package will open.”
verb + noun
10. crimp hair for volume
“She crimped her hair for volume before the concert.”
11. crimp the crust to seal
“Crimp the crust to seal in the juice from the berries.”
12. crimp with a fork
“Crimp with a fork to give the pie a classic finish.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Etymology
From Middle English crimpen (“to be contracted, be drawn together”), from Middle Dutch crimpen, crempen (“to crimp”), from Proto-Germanic *krimpaną (“to shrink, draw back”) (compare related Old English ġecrympan (“to curl”)). Cognate with Dutch krimpen, German Low German krimpen, Faroese kreppa (“crisis”), and Icelandic kreppa (“to bend tightly, clench”). Compare also derivative Middle English crymplen (“to wrinkle”) and causative crempen (“to turn something back, restrain”, literally “to cause to shrink or draw back”), both ultimately derived from the same root. See also cramp.
Uncertain. Likely from etymology 1, above, but the historical development is not clear. Attested since the seventeenth century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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