crackle

1 of 2

verb

crack·​le ˈkra-kəl How to pronounce crackle (audio)
crackled; crackling ˈkra-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce crackle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
the fire crackles on the hearth
b
: to show animation : sparkle
the essays crackle with wit
2

transitive verb

: to crush or crack with snapping noises
cracklingly adverb

crackle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the noise of repeated small cracks or reports
2
: a network of fine cracks on an otherwise smooth surface

Examples of crackle in a Sentence

Verb The logs crackled in the fire. The leaves crackled under our feet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The visitor sings scientific names of species over a musical score infused with sounds of flowing water and crackling ice. Keridwen Cornelius, New York Times, 3 May 2025 This Blue Devils’ lineup has snapped and crackled all season, with plenty of pop, too, with .515 slugging percentage, outscoring opponents 294-146. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
The cuteness ends when the WLF radio that Dina stole crackles with some voices. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 4 May 2025 Yet despite the expanding footprint, Beachside's design manages to feel deeply personal, almost homemade in spirit—a place where memory-making is more important than menu-reading and where the loudest sound at night might just be the crackle of a fire pit, not the buzz of an incoming work email. Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crackle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of crack entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of crackle was circa 1560

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackle. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

crackle

verb
crack·​le
ˈkrak-əl
crackled; crackling
-(ə-)liŋ
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
crackle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crackle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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