noun
A line or fold in skin, cloth, paper, or a similar surface. Common in phrases such as しわができる, しわが寄る, and しわを伸ばす.
笑うと目じりにしわができる。
When she smiles, wrinkles form at the corners of her eyes.
シャツのしわをアイロンで伸ばした。
I ironed out the creases in the shirt.
noun
ripple; fine surface wrinkle
An extended descriptive use for small wrinkle-like ripples on a surface, especially water; less central than the skin or cloth sense.
風が吹いて、水面に細かいしわが寄った。
The wind blew, and fine ripples appeared on the water's surface.
Rare kanji form; useful mainly for recognition.
A deliberate or clear fold line, especially in paper or fabric; しわ can be accidental, irregular, or age-related.
A fold, pleat, or natural ridge; しわ emphasizes thin wrinkle or crease lines on a surface.
The ordinary word for small waves or ripples on water; しわ is a more wrinkle-like descriptive expression for fine ripples.
The historical derivation is uncertain here. The kanji 皺 is conventionally used for wrinkles or creases, but the word is commonly written in kana.