Crisp: meaning, definitions and examples

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crisp

[krɪsp ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

food

Crisp means firm, dry, and easily broken. It is often used to describe food that is cooked to be firm but not burnt.

Synonyms

brittle, crackling, crunchy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crisp	Describes textures that are firm and make a sharp sound when broken or bitten, often used for food like apples and chips, as well as weather that is cool and refreshing. The apple was fresh and crisp. They enjoyed a walk on a crisp autumn morning.
crunchy	Implies a food that makes a loud noise when bitten into, often used for foods like vegetables, cereals, or snacks. It highlights the pleasant, audible texture. The fresh carrots were deliciously crunchy. He prefers crunchy peanut butter over smooth.
crackling	Used to describe a rapid series of small cracking sounds, often associated with fires, fried foods, or thin materials like plastic or leaves. They sat by the fire, listening to the crackling of the burning logs. She loved the sound of crackling leaves under her feet during her autumn walks.
brittle	Refers to something hard but likely to break or shatter easily, often used for materials like glass, bones, or certain candies. It has a somewhat negative connotation. The old book's pages were brittle and yellow with age. Be careful with the brittle sugar candy; it breaks easily.

Examples of usage

The roast potatoes were deliciously crisp on the outside.
The apple had a crisp texture and a sweet flavor.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

weather

Crisp describes weather that is cool, fresh, and invigorating. It is often used to describe a clear and cold day.

Synonyms

brisk, chilly, fresh.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crisp	Describes weather that is cold in a refreshing and invigorating way, or food that is pleasantly firm and crunchy. The morning air was crisp and filled with the scent of pine. I love eating a crisp apple straight from the fridge.
fresh	Refers to clean, cool air or new and pleasant feelings. Can also describe food that is just made or picked. She took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. We always buy fresh vegetables from the farmer's market.
chilly	Describes weather that is noticeably cold in a way that may be uncomfortable. It's a bit chilly outside; you might want to wear a coat. The night was chilly, and everyone huddled closer to the fire.
brisk	Used for weather that is cool and refreshing, or actions that are quick and energetic. We took a brisk walk through the park to wake ourselves up. The meeting was conducted at a brisk pace to cover all the points quickly.

Examples of usage

After the rain, the air felt crisp and clean.
The morning was crisp and frosty, perfect for a walk.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

sound

To crisp something means to make it dry, firm, or brittle by heating. It is often used in cooking to refer to making something crunchy.

Synonyms

brown, fry, toast.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crisp	Use 'crisp' to describe food that is pleasantly firm and crunchy, especially when cooked. It is often used for snacks like chips, vegetables, or cookies. The salad was fresh and crisp I love the crisp texture of these apple slices
brown	Use 'brown' when referring to the color change in food as it cooks. This term is often used when frying, roasting, or grilling food to describe the desirable caramelized color. Make sure to brown the meat before adding it to the stew The cookies were perfectly brown when they came out of the oven
toast	Use 'toast' to describe cooking food, typically bread, using dry heat until it becomes browned and crispy. It can also be used as a verb meaning to celebrate or raise a glass in honor of someone or something. I like to toast my bread until it’s golden Let's toast to a successful year!
fry	Use 'fry' when describing a cooking method where food is cooked in hot oil or fat. This term applies to various forms of frying, such as deep-frying, pan-frying, or stir-frying. She decided to fry some chicken for dinner You need to fry the onions until they are golden brown

Examples of usage

She crisped the bacon in the oven.
The chef crisped the skin of the duck by roasting it.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'crisp' comes from the Latin word 'crepāre', meaning 'to break' or 'to crack'.
It first entered the English language in the 14th century, primarily referring to food textures.
Originally, 'crisp' described a brittle structure, and over time, it has broadened to include various contexts beyond just food.

Culinary Arts

In cooking, 'crisp' is often a desired quality for foods like fried potatoes, where the outer layer is crunchy.
Crisping methods, such as baking or frying, enhance flavor and texture by creating a contrast between crunchy exteriors and soft interiors.
Crispness can be scientifically measured in food science, often determining the quality of snacks and fresh produce.

Psychology

Studies show that people often perceive crisp sounds as more pleasant, which can influence how we enjoy certain foods.
The textural experience of 'crisp' can evoke feelings of freshness and quality, affecting consumer choices.
Crispness in food is associated with freshness, creating positive associations with health and taste.

Pop Culture

The word 'crisp' has been popularized in advertising, especially in campaigns for snacks and breakfast cereals to emphasize freshness.
In the gaming world, 'Crisp' is often used to describe graphics that are sharp and well-defined, enhancing the visual experience.
The phrase 'crisp autumn air' evokes imagery of seasonal changes and is a favorite descriptor in literature and poetry.

Literature

Authors often use 'crisp' in descriptions of imagery to evoke a sensory experience, enhancing readers' engagement with the text.
In poetry, 'crisp' can capture transitional moments, such as a shift in seasons or an abrupt change, adding depth to the narrative.
Crisp dialogue in literature refers to conversations that are sharp and concise, driving the story forward.

Translations

Translations of the word "crisp" in other languages:

🇵🇹 crocante

🇮🇳 कुरकुरा

🇩🇪 knusprig

🇮🇩 renyah

🇺🇦 хрусткий

🇵🇱 chrupiący

🇯🇵 カリカリ

🇫🇷 croustillant

🇪🇸 crujiente

🇹🇷 gevrek

🇰🇷 바삭바삭한

🇸🇦 مقرمش

🇨🇿 křupavý

🇸🇰 chrumkavý

🇨🇳 脆

🇸🇮 hrustljav

🇮🇸 stökkt

🇰🇿 қатырма

🇬🇪 ხრაშუნა

🇦🇿 xırtıldayan

🇲🇽 crujiente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,927, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10924 niche
10925 vesicles
10926 stigma
10927 crisp
10928 contemplating
10929 rector
10930 reasonableness
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