crimp

[ krimp ]

/ krɪmp /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR crimp ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to press into small regular folds; make wavy.

to curl (hair), especially with the use of a curling iron.

to press or draw together, as the ends of something.

to check, restrain, or inhibit; hinder: Production was crimped by a shortage of workers.

Cookery.

to pinch and press down the edges of (a pie crust), especially to seal together the top and bottom layers of pastry.
to gash (the flesh of a live fish or of one just killed) with a knife to make more crisp when cooked.

to produce a corrugated surface in; corrugate, as sheet metal, cardboard, etc.

to bend (leather) into shape.

Metalworking.

to bend the edges of (skelp) before forming into a tube.
to fold the edges of (sheet metal) to make a lock seam.

noun

the act of crimping.

a crimped condition or form.

Usually crimps. waves or curls, especially in hair that has been crimped or that displays a crimped pattern.

the waviness of wool fibers as naturally grown on sheep.

the waviness imparted to natural or synthetic fibers by weaving, knitting, plaiting, or other processes.

a crease formed in sheet metal or plate metal to make the material less flexible or for fastening purposes.

Nearby words

criminol., criminology, criminous, crimmer, crimogenic, crimp, crimple, crimplene, crimpy, crimson, crimson clover

Idioms

put a crimp in, to interfere with; hinder: His broken leg put a crimp in their vacation plans.

Origin of crimp

1350–1400; Middle English crympen, Old English gecrympan to curl, derivative of crump crooked

Related forms

crimp·er, noun

Definition for crimp (2 of 2)

crimp

[ krimp ]

/ krɪmp /

noun

a person engaged in enlisting sailors, soldiers, etc., by persuasion, swindling, or coercion.

verb (used with object)

to enlist (sailors, soldiers, etc.) by such means.

Origin of crimp

First recorded in 1630–40; special use of crimp¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for crimp

Fold over the edges and crimp, then trim any remaining excess.
Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie|Carla Hall|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It might also put a bit of a crimp in the economies of states like New York and Delaware.
After the Fiscal Cliff: What do Democrats Want?|Megan McArdle|January 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The lockout may not put a crimp in the day of the typical sports fan.
Cancellation of NHL Games Has Negative Economic Impact|Miranda Green|December 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Hydraulic fracking is helping put a crimp on Russian Oligarchs, extending even to the Kremlin.
Hydraulic Fracking's Putting the Screws to Vladimir and Friends|Justin Green|September 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Mining companies argue that the tax will crimp investment in a vital sector of the economy.
Gina Rinehart, One of World’s Richest Women, Embroiled in a Family Feud|Raymond Bonner|February 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It wasn't argument—but just the same it somehow put a crimp in Swinburne!
Rough-Hewn|Dorothy Canfield
When the boat came alongside the ship, the crimp shouted: "Ahoy, Mr. Mate, I have a good sailor for you."
The Flying Bo'sun|Arthur Mason
The crimp remained in the boat, watching the men go on board.
The Wreck of the Grosvenor, Volume 1 of 3|William Clark Russell
That'll put a crimp in his record, and in the Cardinals', too, for he's been doing good work for them.
Baseball Joe in the Big League|Lester Chadwick
The evidence is crimp: the witnesses swear backwards and forwards, and contradict themselves; and his tenants stick by him.
The History of John Bull|John Arbuthnot

British Dictionary definitions for crimp (1 of 2)

crimp

/ (krɪmp) /

verb (tr)

to fold or press into ridges

to fold and pinch together (something, such as the edges of two pieces of metal)

to curl or wave (the hair) tightly, esp with curling tongs

to decorate (the edge of pastry) by pinching with the fingers to give a fluted effect

to gash (fish or meat) with a knife to make the flesh firmer and crisper when cooked

to bend or mould (leather) into shape, as for shoes

metallurgy to bend the edges of (a metal plate) before forming into a cylinder

informal, mainly US to hinder

noun

the act or result of folding or pressing together or into ridges

a tight wave or curl in the hair

a crease or fold in a metal sheet

the natural wave of wool fibres

Derived Forms

crimper, nouncrimpy, adjective

Word Origin for crimp

Old English crympan; related to crump bent, Old Norse kreppa to contract, Old High German crumpf, Old Swedish crumb crooked; see cramp 1

British Dictionary definitions for crimp (2 of 2)

crimp

/ (krɪmp) /

noun

(formerly) a person who swindled or pressganged men into naval or military service

verb

to recruit by coercion or under false pretences

Word Origin for crimp

C17: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

crimp

verb (used with object)

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of crimp

Related forms

Definition for crimp (2 of 2)

crimp

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of crimp

Examples from the Web for crimp

British Dictionary definitions for crimp (1 of 2)

crimp

verb (tr)

noun

Derived Forms

Word Origin for crimp

British Dictionary definitions for crimp (2 of 2)

crimp

noun

verb

Word Origin for crimp