rumple

1 of 2

noun

rum·​ple ˈrəm-pəl How to pronounce rumple (audio)

rumple

2 of 2

verb

rumpled; rumpling ˈrəm-p(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce rumple (audio)

transitive verb

1
2
: to make unkempt : tousle

Examples of rumple in a Sentence

Verb He rumpled her hair affectionately. the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Together, the two have just the right amount of rumple. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2024 But not every man is going to read poetry out of rumples. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 12 July 2023
Verb
Her hair is frizzy, or her dress is rumpled, but that disheveledness was something that Turini wanted to explore in Maddie’s wardrobe to signify her lack of self. Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2024 Cooley was a prosecutor straight out of central casting, as Trump might put it, gray-haired and a bit rumpled, who gave the impression of having witnessed more than his share of crime victims’ pain. Dan Morain, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rumple 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch rompelen; akin to Old High German rimpfan to wrinkle

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rumple was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near rumple

Cite this Entry

“Rumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumple. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rumple

verb
rum·​ple
ˈrəm-pəl
rumpled; rumpling
-p(ə-)liŋ

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