pucker

[puhk-er]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to draw or gather into wrinkles or irregular folds, as material or a part of the face; constrict.

   Worry puckered his brow.

noun

1. a wrinkle; an irregular fold.

2. a puckered part, as of cloth tightly or crookedly sewn.

3. Archaic.,  a state of agitation or perturbation.

pucker

/ ˈpʌkə /

verb

1. to gather or contract (a soft surface such as the skin of the face) into wrinkles or folds, or (of such a surface) to be so gathered or contracted

noun

1. a wrinkle, crease, or irregular fold

Other Word Forms

• puckerer noun
• unpuckered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pucker¹

1590–1600; apparently a frequentative form connected with poke ²; -er ⁶ and for the meaning purse

Word History and Origins

Origin of pucker¹

C16: perhaps related to _poke ², from the creasing into baglike wrinkles

Example Sentences

These candies will have your mouth puckering — and salivating for more.

Read more on Salon

But those who are familiar with and enjoy Robinson’s puckering brand of cringe are probably up for the challenge — which it is, in the best way.

Read more on Salon

So, why then do so some folks willingly crave foods that make their mouths pucker and tongues tingle?

Read more on Salon

Donny is certainly demented, but he’s not nearly delusional enough that he didn’t recognize the single most ham-handed posterior puckering since “this Nobel award” was ever talked about.

Read more on Salon

Nobel’s Super Lemon Sour Candy will surely have your mouth watering and puckering.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• crinkle