corrugated
Americanadjective
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing corrugated
Born a Crime
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
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A Lesson Before Dying
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The digital age has crushed demand for newsprint and office paper, but e-commerce promised a golden era for corrugated boxes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The firm which tested the sample told the BBC it contained Chrysotile fibre, a white loose asbestos usually found in pipe insulation or corrugated roofs.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
And staff are using corrugated metal sheets to create warm microhabitats where reptiles can be observed without disturbance.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
During the tournament, thousands of Palestinians gathered in makeshift cafes set up inside tents or built from corrugated metal salvaged from damaged buildings to watch Egypt's matches.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
A curtain of corrugated tin quivered as if something were behind it.
From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
