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) .

Related Words

• crispy
• crumbly
• crusty
• fresh
• plump