First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1crush
verb \ˈkrəsh\
: to press or squeeze (something) so hard that it breaks or loses its shape
: to break (something) into a powder or very small pieces by pressing, pounding, or grinding it
: to defeat (a person or group that opposes you) by using a lot of force
Full Definition of CRUSH
transitive verb
1
a : to squeeze or force by pressure so as to alter or destroy structure <crush grapes> b : to squeeze together into a mass
3
: to reduce to particles by pounding or grinding <crush rock>
4
a : to suppress or overwhelm as if by pressure or weight b : to oppress or burden grievously <crushed by debt> c : to subdue completely
6
archaic : drink
intransitive verb
1
obsolete : crash
2
: to become crushed
3
: to advance with or as if with crushing
— crush·able \ˈkrə-shə-bəl\ adjective
— crush·er noun
— crush·ing·ly adverb
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Origin of CRUSH
Middle English crusshen, from Anglo-French croissir, croistre, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Low German krossen to crush
2crush
noun
: a strong feeling of romantic love for someone that is usually not expressed and does not last a long time
: the person on whom you have a crush
: a crowd of people who are pressed close together
Full Definition of CRUSH
1
: an act of crushing
2
: the quantity of material crushed
3
4
: an intense and usually passing infatuation <have a crush on someone>; also : the object of infatuation
— crush·proof \-ˌprüf\ adjective
See crush defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRUSH
1599
Related to CRUSH
- Synonyms
- infatuation, mash, passion
Synonym Discussion of CRUSH
crowd, throng, horde, crush, mob mean an assembled multitude. crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together <a crowd gathered>. throng and horde suggest movement and pushing <a throng of reporters> <a horde of shoppers>. crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort <a crush of fans>. mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence <an angry mob>.
CRUSHABLE Defined for Kids
1crush
verb \ˈkrəsh\
crushedcrush·ing
Definition of CRUSH for Kids
1
: to squeeze together so as to change or destroy the natural shape or condition <We crush grapes for their juice.>
2
: to break into fine pieces by pressure <The machine crushes stone.>
3
: overwhelm 1 <crush an enemy>
4
: to defeat in spirit <The injury crushed her hopes of winning.>
2crush
noun
Definition of CRUSH for Kids
1
: a tightly packed crowd <He got caught in the crush of holiday shoppers.>
2
: a foolish or very strong liking : infatuation <Libby has a crush on a lifeguard named Freddie. — Judy Blume, Sheila the Great>
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