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 collection was wrapped in fabrics such as grisaille, flannel, Prince of Wales, and ultra-soft virgin wool from Loro Piana and Ermenegildo Zegna in contrast to silks from Ratti, crisp duchesse and fluid double satin, and knitwear crafted in Cariaggi cashmere. WWD, 3 Mar. 2025 Fluid tannins, syrupy mouth feel, crisp yet slightly brittle acidity. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
Negronis and martinis were served upon entry with anchovies, crisps and marinated peppers before moving onto red or white wine in the dining room, where the menu featured a whole seabass, brill, battered prawns, Andalusian chickpeas, chips bravas and winter tomatoes. Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 26 Feb. 2025 Any type of chili oils or chili crisps are really great. Bon Appétit, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
From milkshakes to crisp seasonal lemonades, their drink menu is nearly as robust as their sandwich menu. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025 The scent of the smoke upon the crisping meat is intoxicating. Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crisp. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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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