crisp

1 of 3

adjective

ˈkrisp 

crisper; crispest

1

a

: easily crumbled : brittle

a crisp cracker

b

: desirably firm and crunchy

crisp lettuce

2

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

: briskly cold

crisp winter weather

also : fresh, invigorating

crisp autumn air

a crisp white wine

d

: deftly and powerfully executed

a crisp tennis serve

e

: brisk, lively

a crisp tale of intrigue

crisp musical tempi

3

: curly, wavy

also : having close stiff or wiry curls or waves

crisply adverb

crispness noun

crisp

2 of 3

noun

plural crisps

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

crisp

3 of 3

verb

crisped; crisping; crisps

transitive verb

1

: to make or keep crisp

2

: curl, crimp

3

: to cause to ripple : wrinkle

intransitive verb

1

: to become crisp

2

: curl

3

: ripple

Synonyms

Adjective

• brickle [dialect]
• brittle
• crispy
• crumbly
• embrittled
• flaky
• flakey
• friable
• short

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of crisp in a Sentence

Adjective

I put on a crisp shirt and tie.

The stereo's sound is crisp and clear.

Verb

Crisp the celery in ice water.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The coating can be a little uneven, with some parts thin and crisp and others clumpy, but overall the tenders offer a nice crunch. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Cook over medium-low, flipping often, until rendered and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. —Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

Noun

The most consistent category, beyond the chili crisps, is a growing collection of toum. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Chef Joe Cheek and his team offer a shrimp boat with fresh basil, Parmesan and a Peruvian yellow pepper sauce; cauliflower tossed with guanciale, fish sauce and red miso spiked with chili crisp, and some of the best soup specials in town. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 27 Nov. 2024

Verb

Depending on the liquid used, frequent basting may even prevent the skin from crisping up as desired. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2024

Instant Omni Plus Toaster Oven Air Fryer $280 $180 at Amazon This combo air fryer and toaster oven excelled at crisping french fries, baking cookies, and toasting bread in our tests. —Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin crispus; akin to Welsh crych curly

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing crisp

• burned to a crisp
• potato crisp
• to a crisp

Kids Definition

crisp

1 of 3 adjective

ˈkrisp 

1

a

: being thin and hard and easily crumbled

crisp crackers

b

: pleasantly firm and crunchy

crisp lettuce

2

a

: having sharp distinct outlines

a crisp illustration

b

: being clear and brief

a crisp reply

c

: fresh and neat

a crisp housedress

d

: being quick and lively

a crisp performance

a crisp tale of adventure

3

: pleasantly cool and invigorating

a crisp autumn day

crisply adverb

crispness noun

crisp

2 of 3 verb

: to make or become crisp

crisper noun

crisp

3 of 3 noun

: something crisp or brittle

burned to a crisp