crack
crack Lexical Profile
crack Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A narrow line or opening on the surface of something that has split without breaking completely apart.
"The antique porcelain vase had a fine crack running along its base."
A sudden, sharp, loud noise.
"A loud crack of thunder echoed across the valley."
A potent, crystalline, smokable form of cocaine.
"Public health officials launched a campaign to address the spread of crack in urban centers."
An informal attempt or opportunity to do something.
"After revising her strategy, she decided to take another crack at solving the puzzle."
A clever, sarcastic, or critical remark.
"Everyone laughed at his witty crack about the chaotic meeting schedule."
• verb
To break or cause to break with a partial split or line on the surface, without separating completely into pieces.
"The sudden drop in temperature caused the windshield to crack."
To make or cause to make a sudden, sharp, snapping sound.
"Dry twigs began to crack beneath our boots as we walked through the forest."
To find a solution to a complex problem, mystery, or encrypted code.
"Cryptographers worked tirelessly for months to crack the cipher."
To give way or lose control under intense pressure, strain, or interrogation.
"Despite the exhausting schedule, her composure never began to crack."
To change pitch suddenly and uncontrollably (of a person's voice, especially from emotion or during puberty).
"His voice started to crack with emotion as he delivered the farewell speech."
• adjective
Highly trained, skilled, or efficient (used only before a noun).
"A crack team of investigators was dispatched to examine the evidence."
• Rhymes for crack
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English cearcian ('to make a sudden, sharp noise'), of imitative origin representing a splitting or snapping sound.