rumple

American  

[ruhm-puhl] / ˈrʌm pəl /

verb (used with object)

rumpled, rumpling

1. to crumple or crush into wrinkles.

   to rumple a sheet of paper.

   Synonyms:

   muss, crease, wrinkle

2. to ruffle; tousle (sometimes followed byup ).

   The wind rumpled her hair.

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verb (used without object)

rumpled, rumpling

1. to become wrinkled or crumpled.

   Tissue rumples easily.

noun

1. a wrinkle or irregular fold; crease.

rumple British  

/ ˈrʌmpəl /

verb

1. to make or become wrinkled, crumpled, ruffled, or dishevelled

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noun

1. a wrinkle, fold, or crease

Other Word Forms

• rumply adjective
• unrumpled adjective

Etymology

Origin of rumple

1595–1605; < Dutch rompelen (v.), rompel (noun)

Example Sentences

As he took out a small notebook and began to read names from it, I was suddenly conscious of my rumpled clothes, my long, ragged fingernails.

From Literature

He never had patience for rumpled academics; he likes things to be in their places.

From Literature

I patted Blizzard on the head and rumpled his ears.

From Literature

The shah heard news of the coup in Rome, where he arrived “a rumpled refugee,” according to the New York Daily News on Aug. 20, 1953.

From Barron's

The shah heard news of the coup in Rome, where he arrived “a rumpled refugee,” according to the New York Daily News on Aug. 20, 1953.

From Barron's

Related Words

• derange
• dishevel