Definition

Verb: 1. To form or shape into parallel ridges and grooves, or folds: This is the core meaning. It describes the action of making a series of regular, alternating ridges and furrows, often to add strength or rigidity to a material. 2. To become shaped into such ridges and folds: The intransitive sense, meaning to take on a corrugated form.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (with an object):
  • The machine corrugates the cardboard to make it stronger for shipping boxes.
  • He corrugated his brow in concentration. (Here, it is used figuratively to describe wrinkling the forehead.)
• Intransitive Verb (no object):
  • The metal sheet corrugated under the intense heat and pressure.

Advanced Usage

• "Corrugated" as an Adjective: The past participle is very commonly used as an adjective to describe something that has been shaped this way.
  • They built the shed from corrugated iron.
  • The package was lined with corrugated paper.

Variants and Related Words

• Corrugation (noun): The state of being corrugated, or a single ridge or groove in a corrugated surface.
  • The corrugations in the pipe help it flex without breaking.
• Corrugated (adjective): Having a corrugated form.
  • a corrugated roof

Synonyms

• Crimp: To press into small, regular folds or ridges.
• Flute: To form into long, rounded grooves (often used in baking or architecture).
• Pucker: To gather into small wrinkles or folds (softer, less regular than corrugate).
• Ruffle: To disorder or disturb the smooth surface of.

Antonyms

• Flatten: To make flat or smooth.
• Smooth: To make even or level.
• Straighten: To make straight.

Verb

1. fold into ridges
   • corrugate iron