rumple

[ruhm-puhl]

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.

verb (used without object)

rumpled, rumpling 

1. to become wrinkled or crumpled.

   Tissue rumples easily.

noun

1. a wrinkle or irregular fold; crease.

rumple

/ ˈrʌmpəl /

verb

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

noun

1. a wrinkle, fold, or crease

Other Word Forms

• unrumpled adjective
• rumply adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumple¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rumple¹

C17: from Middle Dutch rompelen ; related to Old English gerumpen creased, wrinkled

Example Sentences

With the new clothes they could not afford now rumpled and covered with grit, the bedraggled Babushkinovs and their quiet but unusually alert governess arrived in Saint Petersburg at last.

Read more on Literature

It was muddy and rumpled and stuck all over with bits of hay.

Read more on Literature

The noise at the door startled all who were awake, but it was only the doctor, looking pale and rumpled, as befits a man who was called to work in the middle of the night.

Read more on Literature

Why are the beds at hotels so much more comfortable than the rumpled, lumpy things we settle for at home?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In contrast, Burton was performance art — rumpled, often rude, too fidgety to sit in long policy meetings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• derange 
• dishevel