crisp

1 of 3

adjective

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
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
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.
Adjective
The rooms are also spacious, with crisp, comfy bedding and minimalist decor. Caroline Dolby, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024 Plus, styles vary from light, crisp and refreshing sparklers brimming with notes of apple, pear, and lemon to heavier bodied complex wines with yeasty toasty notes. Liz Thach, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Other cucumber creations he’s made include ones with thousand island dressing, bacon bits and cheddar; crab and kewpie mayo; and peanut butter, chili crisps, and soy sauce. Andrew Watman, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Assemble dish: Top cream cheese evenly with jalapenos, bacon, and cheese crisps. Giovanna Vazquez, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
As the air begins to crisp and the first hints of autumn emerge, Labor Day marks a transition from summer’s warmth to fall’s embrace, offering a final celebration of summer while nodding to the hard-working spirit that shaped our nation. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Sep. 2024 The gnocchi gains loads of flavor when crisped in a pan, so skip boiling it and sauté in butter and olive oil until golden brown. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crisp 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of crisp was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near crisp

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crisp. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

crisp

1 of 3 adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on crisp

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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