Crimp
/krɪmp/
verbnounB2
Definition
As a verb, crimp means to press or fold something so it has small waves or bends, often to fasten or decorate it. As a noun, crimp is the fold or bend made by this action. People crimp things like hair to make waves, or edges of paper or metal to join them tightly.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
To press or fold something into small waves or bends
- •She crimped the edges of the pie dough to seal it.
- •He used a tool to crimp the metal wires together.
- •The stylist crimped her hair to create a wavy look.
A small fold or bend made by crimping
- •The crimp on the paper made it easier to fold.
- •The crimp in the wire kept it from slipping.
- •Her hair had small crimps after the styling.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crimp" like "bend," but smaller and more controlled—small bends or waves instead of big curves
- ✓Picture a metal edge pinched together like a small zigzag or a wavy line in hair after using a crimping iron
- ✓It feels like making a small, tight fold with your fingers or a tool, like folding the edge of a pie crust to keep filling inside
- ✓Sounds like "crimp" → imagine a small clip ("clip") but tighter and with a little wave instead of a flat hold
- ✓Imagine making a paper fan by folding paper back and forth in small folds—this is like crimping paper
- ✓NOT like "curl" (which makes round loops), "crimp" makes small sharp or wavy bends
- ✓NOT like "fold" (which can be big and flat), "crimp" is usually small, tight, and often decorative or functional
- ✓NOT like "wrinkle" (which is often accidental or random), "crimp" is done on purpose and looks regular
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Fold: to bend something over itself (Use when the bend is larger and softer, not small waves)
- •Pinch: to press tightly between fingers or tools (Use when emphasizing pressing action rather than shape)
- •Pleat: to fold fabric in regular small folds (Use for clothing or fabric, similar to crimp but more formal)
- •Ruffle: to make small waves or folds, often decorative (Use for soft, loose waves, especially in fabric or hair)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — root word "crimp"
- •Etymology: From Middle English "crimpen," possibly from Old Norse or Germanic roots meaning to bend or wrinkle
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to mean bending or folding, especially in fabric or metal work
- •Modern usage: Common in cooking (pie crust edges), hairstyling (crimped hair), metalwork (joining wires), and crafts (paper folds)
- •Interesting fact: Crimping is important in electrical work to join wires without soldering
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does crimping help in cooking or hairstyling to change the look or function of something?
•Can you think of other everyday things that use crimping to hold parts together or decorate?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.To keep the pie filling inside, she crimped the dough ___ the edges tightly.
2.When you crimp hair, you create small ___ or waves instead of smooth curls.
3.Crimping metal wires helps ___ them so they do not come apart easily.
4.Unlike folding paper once, crimping makes many small ___ close together.
5.The electrician used a tool to crimp the wire connectors ___ firmly.
6.When fabric is crimped, it often looks ___ and textured instead of flat.
7.You would crimp something when you want to join it without ___ sewing or glue.