What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crimp
Example
She crimped the edges of the pie crust to seal in the filling. [crimp: verb]
Example
The hairdresser used a crimping iron to create waves in her hair. [crimping: gerund or present participle]
flatten
Example
He used a rolling pin to flatten the dough for the pizza crust. [flatten: verb]
Example
The company's profits were flattened by the economic downturn. [flattened: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Flatten is more commonly used than crimp in everyday language. Flatten is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crimp is less common and often used in specific contexts, such as cooking or construction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crimp and flatten?
Both crimp and flatten can be used in formal and informal contexts, but flatten is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, from technical to casual language.