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.

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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

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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

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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

Explanation

A crease is a fold, wrinkle, or line, like the crease in your perfectly ironed pants or the worried crease in your dad's forehead when he sees you heading out into the snow without a hat and scarf. A crease can be straight and sharp — think of the creases in a folded paper airplane — or something more like a soft indentation, like the crease in your blankets telling you your cat was just there. It's a verb too: "If you lie on the floor, you'll crease your ball gown!" Etymologists guess that crease comes from crest and its root, which means "to turn or bend."

Example Sentences

Crease the paper using an offset metal spatula.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2023

He has signed a contract with Atlantic Records, and his news anchor character, Barty Crease, appears in promotions for Netflix U.K.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2021

Robert P. Crease applauds the third volume of a thrilling guide to a special pursuit.

From Nature • Sep. 19, 2017

Here's a thing; there are many great songs about cricket – the greatest being Roy Harper's epic When an Old Cricketer Leaves the Crease.

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2013

Crease by crease he unfolded it, until at last there came to view eight small misshapen seed pearls, as ugly and gray as little ulcers, flattened and almost valueless.

From "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• crinkle
• pleat
• pucker
• wrinkle