RUMPLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rumple mean? 

• RUMPLE (verb)
  The verb RUMPLE has 3 senses:

1. disturb the smoothness of

2. to gather something into small wrinkles or folds

3. become wrinkled or crumpled or creased

  Familiarity information: RUMPLE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RUMPLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they rumple    ... he / she / it rumples   
Past simple: rumpled   
Past participle: rumpled   
-ing form: rumpling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Disturb the smoothness of

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

mess up; ruffle; ruffle up; rumple

Context example:

ruffle the surface of the water

Hypernyms (to "rumple" is one way to...):

disarrange (destroy the arrangement or order of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

To gather something into small wrinkles or folds

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

cockle; crumple; knit; pucker; rumple

Context example:

She puckered her lips

Hypernyms (to "rumple" is one way to...):

crease; crinkle; crisp; ruckle; scrunch; scrunch up; wrinkle (make wrinkles or creases on a smooth surface; make a pressed, folded or wrinkled line in; 'crisp' is archaic)

Verb group:

draw (contract)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They rumple the sheets

Sense 3

Meaning:

Become wrinkled or crumpled or creased

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

crease; crinkle; crumple; rumple; wrinkle

Context example:

This fabric won't wrinkle

Hypernyms (to "rumple" is one way to...):

fold; fold up (become folded or folded up)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence examples:

The sheets didn't rumple
These fabrics rumple easily

 Context examples 

Well, sir, it was a bit rumpled, certainly, when I came back.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"I don't think secrets agree with me, I feel rumpled up in my mind since you told me that," said Jo rather ungratefully.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Come, she went on, springing to her feet, and smoothing down her rumpled frock, let us walk through the shaw together, and we may come upon Bertrand with the horses.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My dear fellow, said Traddles, rumpling his hair in his excitement, which was a most unnecessary operation, my dearest Copperfield, my long-lost and most welcome friend, how glad I am to see you!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

She smiled to herself at vagrant impulses which arose from nowhere and suggested that she rumple his hair; while he desired greatly, when they tired of reading, to rest his head in her lap and dream with closed eyes about the future that was to be theirs.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"I had a capital time. Did you?" asked Jo, rumpling up her hair, and making herself comfortable.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Ah, Colonel!” said Holmes, arranging his rumpled collar.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The tea table was ready, and our little locker was put out in its old place, but instead of coming to sit by me, she went and bestowed her company upon that grumbling Mrs. Gummidge: and on Mr. Peggotty's inquiring why, rumpled her hair all over her face to hide it, and could do nothing but laugh.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The echoing chamber of his soul was a narrow room, a conning tower, whence were directed his arm and shoulder muscles, his ten nimble fingers, and the swift-moving iron along its steaming path in broad, sweeping strokes, just so many strokes and no more, just so far with each stroke and not a fraction of an inch farther, rushing along interminable sleeves, sides, backs, and tails, and tossing the finished shirts, without rumpling, upon the receiving frame.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"What a trying world it is!" said Jo, rumpling up her hair in a fretful way.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)