What is crease? Pronunciation and usage in English

crease means . Learn how to pronounce and use crease through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of crease

creasenoun

/kriːs//kriːs/
Definition & pronunciation of crease

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "crease" in English. It's a word that often trips people up! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Key Sound: "Cre"

  • "Cre" sounds like the word "creature" but without the "ture" part. It's a short, crisp "cre" sound. Think of it as almost like "crew." It’s a single syllable.

2. The "ase" Part

  • "ase" sounds like "ayz." It's pronounced like the letter "Z" in English.

Putting it Together:

So, "crease" is pronounced: "creyze" (rhymes with "prize" or "size").

Here's a way to break it down visually:

  • cre – like “crew”
  • ase – like “ayz”

Tips & Resources:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: This is crucial. The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

  • Minimal Pairs: Try practicing with minimal pairs – words that sound very similar and differ only by one sound. For example: "freeze" and "crease." Hearing the difference will help you adjust your mouth movements.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some more examples of words that sound similar to "crease" to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word crease in English

Let's break down how to use the word "crease" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it's important to understand them. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Crease (Most Common)

  • Definition: A fold or wrinkle in a surface, often fabric or paper.
  • Examples:
    • “She ironed out the crease in her shirt.” (Removing a wrinkle)
    • “The map had a deep crease across the middle from being folded repeatedly.” (A permanent fold)
    • “He ran his hand over the crease in her forehead, smoothing it out.” (A line on skin)
    • “The crease in the palm of his hand showed a long, deliberate mark.” (A mark created by pressure)

2. Figurative Crease (Emotional/Social)

  • Definition: A significant problem, difficulty, or turning point in someone's life or a situation. This is a more metaphorical use.
  • Examples:
    • “The divorce left a deep crease in her life.” (A sorrowful change)
    • “The company faced a major crease when their biggest customer went bankrupt.” (A difficult challenge)
    • "He experienced a huge crease in his career after the scandal." (A significant setback)
    • “That conversation left a lasting crease on our relationship.” (A lingering impact, often negative)

3. Specific Actions - "To Crease" (Verb)

  • Definition: To make a crease, to wrinkle, or to fold (particularly fabric).
  • Examples:
    • “She creased the paper to make a sharp fold.”
    • “He creased his brow in concentration.” (Wrinkling the forehead) – This is a common idiom.
    • “The tailor creased the fabric to give it a tailored look.”

4. In Art & Design (Less Common)

  • Definition: A line or groove used to create a specific effect. (Often in metalwork or other crafts)
  • Example: “The sculptor carefully etched a crease into the metal to create a shadow.”

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: As you can see, the meaning of “crease” depends heavily on the surrounding words. Pay close attention to how it’s used in the sentence.
  • Formal vs. Informal: “Crease” is generally considered a more formal word than alternatives like "fold" or "wrinkle."
  • Idiomatic Use: "Crease a brow" is a well-established idiom – it's meaning is to furrow your brow in thought or concern.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to use "crease" in a specific sentence or context?
  • What kind of usage are you most interested in (e.g., physical folds, figurative problems, or verbs)?

Synonyms for the word crease

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