/ˈɹɪŋkəlz/
wrinkles is pronounced /ˈɹɪŋkəlz/. Wrinkles refers to small creases or folds in a surface, typically on skin or fabric, formed by bending, aging, or pressure. The term can also describe minute, wave-like distortions on a surface. Used in medical, fashion, and textile contexts, it conveys a visible texture change rather than a structural flaw.
Say it backWrinkles refers to small creases or folds in a surface, typically on skin or fabric, formed by bending, aging, or pressure. The term can also describe minute, wave-like distortions on a surface. Used in medical, fashion, and textile contexts, it conveys a visible texture change rather than a structural flaw.
"Her grandmother’s face bore the wrinkles of a lifetime spent smiling."
"She ironed the shirt to smooth out the stubborn wrinkles."
"The fabric’s wrinkles disappeared after a light steam."
Pronounce as /ˈrɪŋ.kəlz/. The stress is on the first syllable. Start with a crisp /r/ then /ɪ/ as in 'kit', followed by /ŋ/ (velar nasal) and /k/ before a schwa-like light /əl/ in the second syllable, ending with /z/. Think 'RING-kuls' with an z-sound at the end. Audio examples can be found on pronunciation platforms for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (saying wrinKELS) and mispronouncing the /ŋ/ as a nasal blend with an audible hard /g/ or stopping the /əl/ into a clear /əl/ with reduced schwa. Another mistake is ending with an unvoiced /s/ instead of /z/. Correction tips: keep primary stress on the first syllable, ensure /ŋ/ remains velar and voiced voice onset, and voice the final Z, not a voiceless S. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘ringer’ vs ‘wrinkles’ to feel the contrast.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /r/ is rhotic in all dialects that pronounce /r/, but non-rhotic varieties may have a softer /r/ or link to vowels. The /ŋ/ remains constant, but vowel quality of the first syllable can vary slightly (US and AU often stronger /ɪ/, UK may be a slightly shorter /ɪ/). Final /z/ remains voiced; some UK accents may lag voicing in rapid speech, sounding more like /s/. Overall, the word stays /ˈrɪŋ.kəlz/ with minor vowel shifts.
The difficulty lies in coordinating the sequence /ˈrɪŋ.kəlz/: a clear, initial rhotic /r/, a velar nasal /ŋ/, a hard /k/ onset before a light /əl/ vowel sequence, and a final voiced alveolar fricative /z/. The cluster /ŋk/ can be tricky for non-native speakers, and sustaining voice on the final /z/ without devoicing is essential. Mastery comes from precise tongue position and continuous voicing through the coda.
Some speakers wonder if 'wrinkles' ever occurs with a silent letter. In standard pronunciations, there are no silent letters in 'wrinkles'; the letters correspond to sounds: /r/, /ɪ/, /ŋ/, /k/, /əl/, /z/. The tricky part is the /əl/ syllabic reduction and ensuring the /z/ remains voiced. Also, the word insists on a strong initial syllable with a clear /ɪ/ vowel, not a lazy 'riŋ-kəlz'.”,
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Wrinkles comes from the verb wrinkle, meaning to make or become wavy or furrowed. The root is Old English wrincan, related to to bridle or bend; the sense of a small furrow or crease developed in Middle English as fabrics and skins were described. The -le suffix marks the noun form, and the plural -s indicates multiple creases. The word tracks a long history of describing surface irregularities caused by movement, pressure, or aging. Early uses framed wrinkles in textiles and leather before the modern medical and cosmetic senses expanded to describe human skin’s aging lines. Over centuries, the word broadened to cover any minute, irregular line or furrow, often signifying texture, not fault. First attestations appear in Middle English texts where cloth and skin were described with creases, with later entries in anatomical and cosmetic contexts reflecting changing cultural attention to aging and appearance.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "wrinkles" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "wrinkles"
-les sounds
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