corrugated

American  

[kawr-uh-gey-tid, kor-] / ˈkɔr əˌgeɪ tɪd, ˈkɒr- /

adjective

1. shaped into wavy folds or alternating furrows and ridges.

   Drops of rain hammered on the corrugated metal roof.

   Your cat can use the toy’s corrugated cardboard center as a scratching mat.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of corrugate.

Other Word Forms

• uncorrugated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of corrugated

First recorded in 1585–95; corrugate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective; corrugate ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb

Explanation

Corrugated means molded into tight ridges and valleys. You've probably seen corrugated cardboard or corrugated metal roofs. Materials are put into a corrugated shape to ensure elasticity and strength — cardboard boxes hold their shape because the cardboard is reinforced with a corrugated layer inside the two flat pieces. To remember corrugated, think about corduroy pants — which also have ridges and valleys. If you're lucky enough to have had ribbon candy, that's corrugated as well.

Example Sentences

Corrugated shelters at the camp squeeze in up to 15 people per room.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2025

Corrugated roofing sheets, the tips of hardwood trees, strung wires of electricity poles: all peeked above the surface, choked to the neck by inky water.

From Slate • Dec. 16, 2023

Corrugated steel fences and other barriers continue to block off neighborhoods and businesses, leading to further discontent and complaints from residents who remain in lockdown.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 13, 2022

Corrugated cardboard can actually be recycled a whopping seven times before the material is no longer suitable for use.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2022

And inside of ten minutes, without leavin' the Corrugated General Offices, I had a full description of Claire, includin' where she hung out.

From The House of Torchy by Brown, Arthur William

Related Words

• crumpled