crimp

Everyday

1. To press something into small folds or ridges, such as pastry edges or hair. tree →
2. To squeeze two things together to join them, such as a metal end on a wire. tree →
3. (noun) A small fold, wave or ridge. tree →
4. (US, informal) «Put a crimp in» something means to spoil or limit it. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking you crimp the edge of a pie with a fork or your fingers to seal it. Hairdressers crimp hair into zigzag waves. Electricians crimp metal connectors onto wires. In the US «that put a crimp in our plans» means it got in the way.

Examples

• Crimp the edges of the pie with a fork. tree →
• She crimped her hair for the party. tree →
• The electrician crimped the plug onto the wire. tree →
• The paper had little crimps along the edge. tree →
• The rain put a crimp in our beach day. tree →
• Gran showed me how to crimp a pasty. tree →

Note

Regular verb: crimped. Adjective: crimped or crimpy. Do not confuse with «cramp» (a sudden pain in a muscle) or «scrimp» (to save money carefully).