First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1crisp
adjective \ˈkrisp\
: dry, hard, and easily broken
: pleasantly firm and making a sharp sound when chewed or crushed
: clean, smooth, and somewhat stiff
Full Definition of CRISP
2
a : easily crumbled : brittle <a crisp cracker> b : desirably firm and crunchy <crisp lettuce>
3
a : notably sharp, clean-cut, and clear <a crisp illustration>; also : concise and to the point <a crisp reply> b : noticeably neat <crisp new clothes> c : brisk, lively <a crisp tale of intrigue> <crisp musical tempi> d : briskly cold <crisp winter weather>; also : fresh, invigorating <crisp autumn air> <a crisp white wine> e : deftly and powerfully executed <a crisp tennis serve>
— crisp·ly adverb
— crisp·ness noun
See crisp defined for English-language learners
See crisp defined for kids
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Origin of CRISP
Middle English, from Old English, from Latin crispus; akin to Welsh crych curly
Related to CRISP
- Synonyms
- brickle [dialect], brittle, crispy, crumbly, embrittled, flaky (also flakey), friable, short
- Antonyms
- disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy
Synonym Discussion of CRISP
fragile, frangible, brittle, crisp, friable mean breaking easily. fragile implies extreme delicacy of material or construction and need for careful handling <a fragile antique chair>. frangible implies susceptibility to being broken without implying weakness or delicacy <frangible stone used for paving>. brittle implies hardness together with lack of elasticity or flexibility or toughness <brittle bones>. crisp implies a firmness and brittleness desirable especially in some foods <crisp lettuce>. friable applies to substances that are easily crumbled or pulverized <friable soil>.
2crisp
verb
: to make (something) crisp or to become crisp
Full Definition of CRISP
transitive verb
2
: to cause to ripple : wrinkle
3
: to make or keep crisp
intransitive verb
1
: curl
2
: ripple
3
: to become crisp
See crisp defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRISP
14th century
3crisp
noun
: a thin, hard, and usually salty piece of food
: a dessert made of cooked fruit with a sweet, dry topping
Full Definition of CRISP
1
a : something crisp or brittle <burned to a crisp> <rye crisps> b chiefly British : potato chip —usually used in plural
2
: a baked dessert of fruit with crumb topping <apple crisp>
See crisp defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRISP
14th century
CRISPLY Defined for Kids
1crisp
adjective \ˈkrisp\
crisp·ercrisp·est
Definition of CRISP for Kids
1
: being thin, hard, and easily crumbled <crisp potato chips>
2
: pleasantly firm and fresh <crisp celery>
3
: being clear and brief <a crisp reply>
4
: pleasantly cool and invigorating : brisk <a crisp autumn day>
5
: having clear details <a crisp photo>
— crisp·ly adverb
— crisp·ness noun
2crisp
verb
crispedcrisp·ing
Definition of CRISP for Kids
: to make or keep something crispy or fresh
Learn More About CRISP
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