Word
wrinkle
Phoneticswrin·kle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹɪŋkəɫ/
UK/ɹˈɪŋkəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small line or fold on your skin or on a piece of cloth. You usually get them on your face as you get older or on your clothes when they are not folded.
n. a small ridge or furrow on a surface, typically caused by the contraction or folding of a flexible material. Often refers to the natural lines that appear on human skin due to aging or sun exposure.
Examples
“She noticed a small wrinkle near her eyes.”
“I need to iron this shirt because it has a deep wrinkle right across the front.”
“The new policy introduced an unexpected wrinkle into the negotiations, forcing both parties to reconsider their initial stance on the budget allocation.”
Examples
simple
“She noticed a small wrinkle near her eyes.”
contextual
“I need to iron this shirt because it has a deep wrinkle right across the front.”
complex
“The new policy introduced an unexpected wrinkle into the negotiations, forcing both parties to reconsider their initial stance on the budget allocation.”
Usage
Commonly used metaphorically to describe a minor problem or a new development in a plan.
Real-World Examples
“Treatment can help to reduce crow’s feet around the eyes, horizontal frown lines on the forehead, as well as other facial wrinkles.” “This means your skin will sag as there is less support underneath, so it can look wrinkled and dull.” Etymology
From Middle English wrinkle, wrynkel (“crease, fold, wrinkle”), from the verb (see below). Cognate with Dutch wrinkel (“wrinkle, crease”). Compare also Middle English runkel (“wrinkle”), from Old Norse hrukka (“wrinkle”), from Proto-Germanic *hrunkǭ (“wrinkle, crease”), whence also French fronce (“crooked smile, scowl, frown”), German Runzel (“wrinkle”).
From Middle English wrynklen, wrinklen (“to wrinkle”), from Old English *wrinclian (attested in past participle ġewrinclod (“wrinkled, crooked, winding”)). Cognate with Middle Dutch wronckelen, wrinckelen (“to wind, wrap, meander”), modern dialectal Dutch wrinkelen (“to wrinkle”). Compare also Middle English runklen (“to wrinkle, become wrinkled”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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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