Meaning & use
wrinkling
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“wrinkling” is a form of “wrinkle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Present participle of 'wrinkle': making small lines or folds on a surface, especially skin or fabric.
Grammar: Can be used with an object (wrinkling the paper) or without (the paper is wrinkling). Often used in progressive tenses.
Patterns
- wrinkling something
- something is wrinkling
She noticed her skin wrinkling as she got older.
The shirt is wrinkling because it was left in the dryer.
He is wrinkling his nose at the bad smell.
noununcountable
The act or process of forming wrinkles; a small crease or fold.
Grammar: Used as a noun, often in technical or descriptive contexts: 'the wrinkling of the fabric'.
Patterns
- the wrinkling of something
The wrinkling of the paint showed it was old.
Wrinkling is a natural part of aging.
Common combinations
- wrinkling of the skin
- The wrinkling of the skin is caused by loss of elasticity.
- wrinkling fabric
- She ironed the wrinkling fabric.
- wrinkling nose
- He gave a wrinkling nose of disgust.
Synonyms and how they differ
- creasing
- Creasing is similar but often refers to a sharp fold, while wrinkling is a softer, smaller line.
- crinkling
- Crinkling suggests a sharper, more irregular wrinkling, like crumpled paper.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: wrinkling or wrinkle?
wrinkling vs wrinkle
Wrinkle is the base form; wrinkling is the -ing form used in progressive tenses or as a noun.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The present progressive requires 'is' + -ing form: 'is wrinkling'. Option B uses base form after 'is', C lacks auxiliary, D uses third-person -s after 'is'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “wrinkling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.