crack Hear it!

crack¹ Definition

crack (krak)

intransitive verb

  1. to make a sudden, sharp noise, as of something breaking
  2. to break or split, usually without complete separation of parts
    1. to become harsh or rasping, as the voice when hoarse
    2. to change suddenly from one register to another, as the voice of a boy in adolescence
  4. Informal to move with speed: now chiefly in phrase get cracking, to start moving with dispatch
  5. Informal to break down to crack under a strain

Etymology: ME craken < OE cracian, to resound, akin to Ger krachen < IE base *ger-: see crow

transitive verb

  1. to cause to make a sharp, sudden noise
  2. to cause to break or split, as by a sharp blow or by heavy pressure, intense heat, etc.
  3. to destroy or impair to crack all opposition
  4. to cause (the voice) to crack
  5. ☆ to subject (as petroleum) to the process of cracking
  6. to hit or strike with a sudden, sharp blow or impact
  7. to break through the difficulties of; manage to solve to crack a secret code
  8. Informal to manage to gain entrance or acceptance in
  9. Informal
    1. to break open or into; force open to crack a safe
    2. to open and consume the contents to crack a bottle
    3. to open and read or study to crack a book
    4. to open slightly (a door, window, etc.)
  10. Slang to make (a joke)

noun

  1. a sudden, sharp noise, as of something breaking the crack of a whip
    1. a break, usually without complete separation of parts; fracture
    2. a slight defect; flaw cracks in his composure
  3. ☆ a narrow opening, as between boards; chink; fissure; crevice
  4. an abrupt, erratic shift of vocal tone, as from emotion or in adolescence
  5. a moment; instant at the crack of dawn
  6. a sudden, sharp blow or impact
  7. ☆ Informal an attempt or try to take a crack at working a puzzle
  8. ☆ Slang a joke, gibe, or sharp remark
  9. Slang a burglar or burglary

adjective

Informal excelling in skill or performance; first-rate a crack shot, crack troops

crack¹ Idioms

crack a smile

Slang to smile, esp. when not inclined to do so

crack down (on)

☆

to become strict or stricter (with)

cracked up to be

☆

Informal alleged or believed to be

crack up

  1. to crash, as (in) an airplane
  2. Informal
    1. to break down physically or mentally
    2. to break into a fit of laughter or tears

crack wise

☆

Slang to joke or gibe

fall between the cracks

or fall through the cracksInformal

to fail to fit into a given agenda or program

crack² Definition

crack (krak)

noun

☆ Slang hard, pebblelike pieces of highly purified cocaine prepared for smoking: a highly potent and addictive form of cocaine

Etymology: < ?

adjective

☆ designating or of cocaine in this form

crack* Synonyms

crack*

modif.

first-rate, first-class, skilled; see able 1, 2, excellent.

crack Synonyms

crack

n.

  1. An incomplete break

    fracture, split, cut, splintering; see break 1, fracture 1, 2.

  2. A crevice

    chink, cleft, fissure, rift; see hole 1, 2.

  3. A cracking sound

    snap, clap, burst, report; see noise 1.

  4. A blow

    hit, thwack, smack; see blow 1.

  5. *A witty or sharp comment

    return, wisecrack, witticism, jest; see joke 2, remark.

crack Synonyms

crack

v.

  1. To make or become cracked

    split, fracture, shatter, craze; see break 1, 2, 3.

  2. To make a noise of something breaking

    snap, crackle, bang, crash; see sound 1.

  3. To damage

    injure, hurt, impair; see damage 1.

  4. *To lose mental control

    break down, go to pieces, succumb, go crazy; see crack up 2, weaken 1, yield 1.

  5. To solve

    figure out, answer, decipher, decode; see solve. See syn. study at break.

get cracking*

get going, go, start, get a move on*; see begin 1, move 1.

crack Usage Examples

Object

  • rib: What if I crack a rib when I do CPR?
  • joke: Most platoon officers were first class and well liked by the lads, even cracking jokes with us.
  • nut: A wheel wrench with a telescopic extending handle makes cracking the nuts much easier, with less chance of grazed knuckles!
  • whip: Kev sculpts figures for their ' Iron Kingdoms ' range whenever i am not cracking the whip enough for HF!

Converse of object

  • climb: Climb the crack in its entirety, passing the tree either left or right.
  • overhang: Pull right onto some sloping ledges under the overhanging crack.

Adjective modifier

  • slanting: Gain the flake crack above and move up ( Friend 3½ ) to flat holds on a slanting broken crack.
  • thin: Step up using the thin vertical crack then traverse into the corner on the right.
  • diagonal: The Vole LH V2 5c From the nose follow the thin diagonal roof crack to the lip.

Modifies a noun

  • cocaine: A drug dealer in Barnsley charged our man £ 15 for a £ 10 rock of crack cocaine.
  • propagation: The intention, he told his audience, is to steer crack propagation.
  • misuser: The knowledge, empathy and understanding of the drugs worker is vital to retaining crack misusers in treatment.
  • whore: Gold filled with the souls of a thousand crack whores.
  • addict: Her tragic tale is about love and grief and her crack addict daughter Felicity.

Noun used with modifier

  • hairline: A close, careful visual check in good light may reveal the tiny hairline cracks spreading out like a spider-web over the tire walls.
  • flake: Witton Wall 4m S The flake crack in the left wall of the gully.
  • layback: Shine On 5m VD The layback crack in the corner, 2m right of Alan's Arête.
  • fatigue: I found a fatigue crack in my Bickerton hinge.

Preposition: of

  • dawn: Added to which some gray haired old dog woke me up at the crack of dawn by walking all over me.
  • whip: At an almighty crack of the whip the horses leap away.