crease

American  

[krees] / kris /

noun

1. a ridge or groove produced in anything by folding, heat, pressure, etc.; fold; furrow.

2. a wrinkle, especially one on the face.

3. the straight, vertical edge or line produced in the front and back of trousers, especially men's trousers, by pressing, as with a steam presser or iron.

4. Ice Hockey. the marked rectangular area in front of each goal cage, into which an offensive player can skate only if that player has the puck, if the puck is already within the area, or if the goalie is absent.

5. Cricket.

   1. bowling crease.

   2. popping crease.

---

verb (used with object)

creased, creasing

1. to make a crease or creases in or on; wrinkle.

   Synonyms:

   fold, furrow, pucker, crimp

2. to wound or stun by a furrowing or superficial shot.

   The bullet merely creased his shoulder.

verb (used without object)

creased, creasing

1. to become creased.

crease ¹ British  

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a line or mark produced by folding, pressing, or wrinkling

2. a wrinkle or furrow, esp on the face

3. cricket any three lines near each wicket marking positions for the bowler or batsman See also bowling crease popping crease return crease

4. ice hockey the small rectangular area in front of each goal cage

5. Also called: goal crease.  lacrosse the circular area surrounding the goal

---

verb

1. to make or become wrinkled or furrowed

2. (tr) to graze with a bullet, causing superficial injury

3. slang (often foll by up) to be or cause to be greatly amused

crease ² British  

/ kriːs /

noun

1. a rare spelling of kris

---

Other Word Forms

• creaseless adjective
• creaser noun
• creasy adjective
• uncreased adjective

Etymology

Origin of crease

1400–50; late Middle English creeste, crest, apparently special use of crest

Example Sentences

The freshly printed schedule with crease lines from where it lived in your back pocket for a week.

From Literature

Ms. Emerson’s perched on the corner of her desk beside me, her face creased with worry.

From Literature

The small patches of eczema in the creases of her elbows and behind her knees began to spread.

From BBC

A bottle cap or crease in a potato chip bag is fair game.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bulldog shook hands and again I noticed the deep creases in the sagging cheeks.

From Literature

Related Words

• crinkle
• pleat
• pucker
• wrinkle