First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1crack
verb \ˈkrak\
: to break (something) so that there are lines in its surface but it is usually not separated into pieces
: to hit or press (something) so hard that it breaks apart or opens suddenly
: to hit (someone or something) hard and usually suddenly
Full Definition of CRACK
intransitive verb
1
: to make a very sharp explosive sound <the whip cracks through the air>
2
: to break, split, or snap apart
3
: fail: as a : to lose control or effectiveness under pressure —often used with up b : to fail in tone <his voice cracked>
4
: to go or travel at good speed —usually used with on <the steamboat cracked on>
transitive verb
1
a : to break so that fissures appear on the surface <crack a mirror> b : to break with a sudden sharp sound <crack nuts>
2
: to tell especially suddenly or strikingly <crack a joke>
3
: to strike with a sharp noise : rap <then cracks him over the head> <cracked a two-run homer in the fifth — New York Times>
4
a (1) : to open (as a bottle) for drinking (2) : to open (a book) for studying b : to puzzle out and expose, solve, or reveal the mystery of <crack a code> c : to break into <crack a safe> d : to open slightly <crack the throttle> e : to break through (as a barrier) so as to gain acceptance or recognition f : to show or begin showing (a smile) especially reluctantly or uncharacteristically
5
6
: to cause to make a sharp noise <cracks his knuckles>
7
a (1) : to subject (hydrocarbons) to cracking (2) : to produce by cracking <cracked gasoline> b : to break up (chemical compounds) into simpler compounds by means of heat
— crack the whip
: to adopt or apply an authoritative, tyrannical, or threatening approach or policy (as in demanding harder work from employees)
— crack wise
: to make a wisecrack
See crack defined for English-language learners
See crack defined for kids
Origin of CRACK
Middle English crakken, from Old English cracian; akin to Old High German chrahhōn to resound
2crack
noun
: a thin line in the surface of something that is broken but not separated into pieces
: a very narrow space or opening between two things or two parts of something
: a sudden loud, sharp sound
Full Definition of CRACK
1
a : a loud roll or peal <a crack of thunder> b : a sudden sharp noise <the crack of rifle fire>
2
: a sharp witty remark : quip
3
a : a narrow break : fissure <a crack in the ice> b : a narrow opening <leave the door open a crack> <cracks between floorboards> —used figuratively in phrases like fall through the cracks to describe one that has been improperly or inadvertently ignored or left out <a player who fell through the cracks in the college draft> <children slipping through the cracks of available youth services>
4
a : a weakness or flaw caused by decay, age, or deficiency : unsoundness b : a broken tone of the voice c : crackpot
6
7
: a sharp resounding blow <gave him a crack on the head>
8
: an attempt or opportunity to do something <her first crack at writing a novel> <got first crack at the job opening>
9
: a potent form of cocaine that is obtained by treating the hydrochloride of cocaine with sodium bicarbonate to create small chips used illicitly for smoking —called also crack cocaine
See crack defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRACK
14th century
3crack
adjective
: very good : of excellent quality or ability
Full Definition of CRACK
: of superior excellence or ability <a crack marksman>
See crack defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRACK
1793
Related to CRACK
- Synonyms
- accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, proficient, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, masterly, practiced (also practised), professed, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
- Antonyms
- amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
CRACK Defined for Kids
1crack
verb \ˈkrak\
crackedcrack·ing
Definition of CRACK for Kids
1
: to break or cause to break with a sudden sharp sound <crack an egg>
2
: to break often without completely separating into parts <The ice cracked in several places.>
3
: to make or cause to make a sound as if breaking <crack a whip>
4
: to open a small amount <crack a window>
5
: to tell (a joke) especially in a clever way
6
: to lose self-control <He cracked under the strain.>
7
: to change in tone quality <My voice cracked from emotion.>
8
: to strike or receive a sharp blow <… I bounced sideways and cracked my head on the half-open window … — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>
9
: solve <I cracked the code.>
— crack up
1
: to have a reputation as a result of praise <The show wasn't as good as it was cracked up to be.>
2
: to damage or destroy (a vehicle) by crashing
3
: to laugh or cause to laugh <Her costume cracked me up.>
2crack
noun
Definition of CRACK for Kids
1
: a narrow break or opening <a crack in the glass>
2
: a sudden sharp noise <a crack of thunder>
3
: a sharp clever remark
4
: a broken tone of the voice
5
: the beginning moment <I awoke at the crack of dawn.>
6
: a sharp blow
7
: 2attempt <It was my first crack at writing.>
3crack
adjective
Definition of CRACK for Kids
: of high quality or ability <crack troops>
Medical Dictionary
crack
noun , often attrib \ˈkrak\
Medical Definition of CRACK
: a potent form of cocaine that is obtained by treating the hydrochloride of cocaine with sodium bicarbonate to create small chips used illicitly usually for smoking
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