What does crease mean?
A crease is a line or ridge that forms when a flexible material such as cloth, paper, leather, or skin is folded, pressed, or crushed. The noun describes both the mark itself — the sharp fold pressed into a pair of tailored trousers, or the crumpled line left in a letter pulled from an envelope — and, by extension, the natural lines and furrows that appear on skin over time. As a verb, to crease is to make such a mark, whether deliberately, as when a tailor presses a permanent fold into fabric, or accidentally, as when clothes are stuffed into a suitcase. The word carries largely neutral connotations, though in fashion and tailoring some creases are desirable while others signal carelessness. In sport, 'crease' has unrelated specialized meanings: in cricket it names the lines behind which batters and bowlers must stand, and in ice hockey it marks the goal area. Informally, British speakers say someone was 'creased up' when laughter doubled them over.
A line or ridge produced on fabric, paper, skin, or other soft material by folding, pressing, or crushing; also, in cricket, either of two lines marking the batter's or bowler's position, and in ice hockey, the marked goal area.
"There wasn't a single crease in the invitation after she'd flattened it under a pile of books."
In cricket and hockey, 'crease' is a technical term specific to those sports.
To make a crease or creases in something, or to become marked with creases; informally (British), to double up with laughter or cause someone to do so.
"Don't crease the map — we'll need it flat again later."
Standard plural; commonly used when referring to multiple wrinkles or folds, e.g. on clothing or skin.
"The old leather jacket was covered in fine creases."
The word 'crease' and the crown on your head — the Latin root 'crista', meaning a tuft or crest — is the same root that gave us the crest of a rooster.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of crease
'Crease' likely derives from Old English 'crista' via Middle English, ultimately from Latin 'crista', meaning a tuft, plume, or crest — the same root that gives us 'crest'. It appears in English from around the early 16th century, first attested in contexts describing folded cloth or paper. The sporting sense in cricket developed separately in English usage during the game's codification in the 18th century. Related words sharing the Latin root include 'crest' and 'crisp'.
Related word forms
How crease is actually used
The verb 'crease' is also used informally in British English ('crease someone up') meaning to make someone laugh uncontrollably. In sports contexts (cricket, ice hockey), 'crease' is a specialized term with no connection to folds or wrinkles in everyday use.
Easily confused with crease
In cricket and hockey, 'the crease' refers specifically to a painted line marking the batsman's or goalkeeper's area — a distinct sporting sense rather than the everyday fold-or-wrinkle sense.