Cool MateCrease vs Fold
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Crease
Top 2,000 (common)
Fold
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Most common: Fold
| Crease | Fold | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kriːs//🇺🇸 //kriːs// | 🇬🇧 /["/fəʊld/","/fəʊldz/","/ˈfəʊldɪd/","/ˈfəʊldɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fəʊld/","/fəʊldz/","/ˈfəʊldɪd/","/ˈfəʊldɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A line or fold in a surface, especially in fabric or paper. | To bend something over itself. |
| Example | She noticed a deep crease in the fabric of her dress. | Please fold the paper along the dotted line. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | sharp crease, deep crease, iron out a crease, crease in fabric, paper crease | carefully, neatly, gently, into |
| Antonyms | smooth, uncrease | unfold, spread |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'crease' vs 'crease out' (to remove a crease)., Using 'creased' incorrectly as a verb rather than an adjective., Mixing up 'crease' with similar terms like 'fold' without recognizing the differences. | Confused with 'fauld' (a non-existent word)., Using 'fold' with an abstract object instead of a physical object., Saying 'folded by' instead of just 'folded'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'crease' to refer to physical folds, often in clothing or paper. Avoid using in formal contexts when describing minor errors or imperfections. | Use 'fold' when talking about items like paper or clothes. Avoid in very formal writings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Crease vs Fold
What's the difference between Crease and Fold?
Crease: A line or fold in a surface, especially in fabric or paper. Fold: To bend something over itself.
Which is more common: Crease and Fold?
Fold is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Crease: She noticed a deep crease in the fabric of her dress. Fold: Please fold the paper along the dotted line.
Can I use Crease and Fold interchangeably?
Not always. Crease and Fold are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.