crisp

[ krisp ]

adjective

, crisp·er, crisp·est.

1. (especially of food) hard but easily breakable; brittle:

   crisp toast.

2. (especially of food) firm and fresh; not soft or wilted:

   a crisp leaf of lettuce.

3. brisk; sharp; clear; decided:

   a crisp reply.

4. lively; pithy; sparkling:

   crisp repartee.

5. clean-cut, neat, and well-pressed; well-groomed.
6. invigorating; bracing:

   crisp air.

   Synonyms: nippy, fresh, brisk

7. crinkled, wrinkled, or rippled, as skin or water.
8. in small, stiff, or firm curls; curly.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become crisp.
2. to curl.

noun

1. Chiefly British. potato chip.
2. Cooking. a dessert of fruit, as apples or apricots, baked with a crunchy mixture, usually of breadcrumbs, chopped nutmeats, butter, and brown sugar.

crisp

/ krɪsp /

adjective

1. dry and brittle
2. fresh and firm

   crisp lettuce

3. invigorating or bracing

   a crisp breeze

4. clear; sharp

   crisp reasoning

5. lively or stimulating

   crisp conversation

6. clean and orderly; neat

   a crisp appearance

7. concise and pithy; terse

   a crisp reply

8. wrinkled or curly

   crisp hair

verb

1. to make or become crisp

noun

1. a very thin slice of potato fried and eaten cold as a snack
2. something that is crisp

Derived Forms

• ˈcrispness, noun
• ˈcrisply, adverb

Other Words From

• crisply adverb
• crispness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisp¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, from Latin crispus “curled”

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisp¹

Old English, from Latin crispus curled, uneven, wrinkled

Idioms and Phrases

see burn to a cinder (crisp) .

Example Sentences

The ball popped from one side to the other, the Lakers creating open threes off crisp passing, forceful cuts and colliding screens.

From Los Angeles Times

"It’s a stunning walk and really enjoyable on a crisp autumn day."

From BBC

"He was eating a packet of Walkers cheese and onion crisps and he wasn't blinking," she said.

From BBC

Around 3 p.m., about six hours after the fire was first spotted, it had exploded to almost 9,000 acres without any containment, burning dozens of homes to a crisp.

From Los Angeles Times

He then picked up some crisps, and said he even held his shopping bag open to show he was not trying to hide anything.

From BBC

Related Words

• crispy
• crumbly
• crusty
• fresh
• plump