RING-kuhld
/ˈɹɪŋkəld/
wrinkled is pronounced RING-kuhld (/ˈɹɪŋkəld/). Wrinkled describes a surface bearing small folds or creases, typically from aging, drying, or compression. It conveys a texture that is puckered or crumpled, suggesting irregular surface tension. The term often appears in contexts like fabric, skin, or paper, highlighting its tactile, visual irregularity.
Wrinkled describes a surface bearing small folds or creases, typically from aging, drying, or compression. It conveys a texture that is puckered or crumpled, suggesting irregular surface tension. The term often appears in contexts like fabric, skin, or paper, highlighting its tactile, visual irregularity.
"The wrinkled fabric sagged as the shirt lay crumpled in the drawer."
"Her wrinkled skin told stories of years spent under the sun."
"The old map was yellowed and wrinkled from years of handling."
Pronounce as /ˈrɪŋ.kəld/ in standard pronunciation. Primary stress on the first syllable. The sequence starts with a voiced alveolar nasal /ŋ/ blended into a velar-like onset for the first syllable,
Mistakes include saying /ˈriːŋ.kəld/ with a long /i:/ vowel in the first syllable, or pronouncing the second syllable with a strong 'd' or 't' ending. Correct approach uses a short /ɪ/ in the first vowel and a soft /ld/ at the end. Practice with the minimal pair wrinkled vs wrinkled? (Note: keep /ŋk/ cluster smooth.)
US/UK/AU share the /ˈrɪŋ.kəld/ pattern, with variation mainly in vowel quality and rhoticity. US tends to a rhotic /r/ influence in connected speech; UK tends toward non-rhotic clarity with slightly shorter /ɪ/; AU tends to a relaxed /ɪ/ and may elide a small amount of the /k/ release in rapid speech. Nevertheless, the primary stress remains on the first syllable across regions.
The difficulty lies in the /ŋk/ cluster: moving from the velar nasal /ŋ/ to the /k/ without an intrusive vowel can trip you up, and the final /ld/ can sound like /l/ with a barely audible /d/. Another challenge is maintaining the short, lax /ɪ/ in the first syllable while quickly transitioning to /k/ and /ə/ in the second. Focus on the nasal+velar blend and the light liaison to the /ld/.
Wrinkled uses a consonant cluster /ŋk/ at the end of the first syllable and a final /ld/. The /ŋ/ should be released into /k/ cleanly, avoiding an extra vowel between; the /ld/ may be realized as a light, nearly silent /d/ in fast speech. The main challenge is achieving the crisp /k/ release before the /ə/ and /ld/ in rapid connected speech.
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Wrinkled derives from the verb wrinkle, which itself comes from the Old Norse wrǫnkja or related Germanic roots, tied to the notion of bending or folding. The word likely entered English via Middle English wrinken, influenced by Germanic languages, evolving to describe folds in fabrics or skin. The sense broadened in early modern English to cover any surface with small creases, especially those produced by aging or drying. Over time, the adjective wrinkled became a standard descriptor in literature and everyday speech to convey texture and irregularity, with first written attestations appearing in medical and textile contexts as early as the 15th-16th centuries, and becoming commonplace in 17th- and 18th-century prose as consumer goods like linens and clothing grew more affordable and mass-produced. Today, wrinkled retains its tactile connotation across multiple domains, from fashion to biology, always signaling a surface that deviates from smoothness due to physical manipulation or time-induced change.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "wrinkled" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "wrinkled" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "wrinkled"
-led sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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