crackle

1 of 2

verb

crack·​le ˈkra-kəl 

crackled; crackling ˈkra-k(ə-)liŋ 

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

: craze sense intransitive 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

b

: sparkle, effervescence

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

Verb

In October 2021, Apple offered free repair to users who experienced crackling issues with AirPod Pros. —Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 2 Nov. 2024

Add the garlic, ginger, serrano peppers, and curry leaves and cook, stirring constantly, until the curry leaves start to crackle, 1 to 2 minutes. —Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024

Noun

Grilled over mesquite coals, the chicken’s the color of a desert sunset, with the toasted crackle of mesquite char over the top. —Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 2 Oct. 2024

And the third act crackles with energy as Joan comes face-to-face, literally, with her younger self, while the other sisters react to her arrival. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 30 Sep. 2024

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

Kids Definition

crackle

verb

crack·​le

ˈkrak-əl

crackled; crackling

-(ə-)liŋ

: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises

crackle noun