What does wrinkled mean?
“Wrinkled” is chiefly an adjective describing a surface marked by creases, lines, or folds, as in wrinkled skin, paper, or fabric. It can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb “wrinkle,” meaning to pucker or crease something, or to become creased. The word is common in everyday British and American English and appears in both practical and literary descriptions. Its tone depends on context: it may be matter-of-fact for an object, gently affectionate for a familiar face, or occasionally humorous. Compared with “rumpled,” “wrinkled” tends to emphasize distinct lines or creases rather than loose disorder, while “crumpled” more strongly suggests crushing something into irregular folds. As a result, “wrinkled” is a precise and useful word for describing both intentional creasing and the fine lines that develop in skin or other materials over time.
Covered with or marked by wrinkles, creases, or puckered lines.
"The old armchair was upholstered in faded, wrinkled velvet."
Often neutral, but its application to a person's face can imply age or draw attention to physical characteristics.
To form folds or creases in something, or to become creased or puckered.
"She wrinkled the letter in frustration and threw it into the drawer."
This is the past tense and past participle of “wrinkle”; it is not normally used as the third-person singular present form.
One word covers both the marks and the making of them: skin can be wrinkled, and a hand can wrinkle it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wrinkled come from?
“Wrinkled” was formed by adding the suffix “-ed” to the established English word “wrinkle.” “Wrinkle” was already present in Middle English and continues the history of an Old English form for a fold or wrinkle. The same root underlies related forms such as “wrinkly” and “wrinkle-free,” while “wrinkled” is the standard past-tense, past-participle, and participial adjective form of “wrinkle.”
How wrinkled is actually used
Common in both formal and informal British and American English. It is usually neutral when describing paper, fabric, or skin, but can sound gently affectionate or humorous when applied to a familiar face; it may also draw attention to age when describing a person.
Easily confused with wrinkled
Wrinkled describes a surface marked by distinct lines or creases, whereas rumpled usually emphasizes loosely disordered folds, especially in clothing.
Wrinkled refers to the formation of creases, while crumpled suggests that something has been crushed into irregular folds.