crisp

\ ˈkrisp

How to pronounce crisp (audio)

\

crisper; crispest

Definition of crisp

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : easily crumbled : brittle a crisp cracker

b : desirably firm and crunchy crisp lettuce

2a : 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

crisp

plural crisps

Definition of crisp (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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

crisped; crisping; crisps

Definition of crisp (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from crisp Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about crisp

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Choose the Right Synonym for crisp

Adjective

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: Adjective Let stand until the broccoli is crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes, then drain. — Washington Post, "Garlicky Broccoli and Beans With Pesto," 2 Aug. 2020 Nelson has blond hair and large, blue eyes, and is often photographed in a crisp flight-attendants’ uniform. — Sheelah Kolhatkar, The New Yorker, "The Fight to Save Jobs in the Airline Industry," 31 July 2020 Baked puffs should have hollow, moist interiors and crisp outer shells that are lightly browned. — Daniel Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This cream puff recipe delivers iconic Wisconsin State Fair pastry flavor, even for those lacking artistic skills," 31 July 2020 The kitchen and breakfast room tie together in an open concept with a crisp and neutral color theme throughout. — Mary Grace Granados, Dallas News, "Peek inside this English Cotswold manor in Highland Park with an updated Hollywood vibe," 30 July 2020 Bringing the cabinetry and wall treatments up to the ceiling creates a crisp profile for the entire kitchen. — Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, "Transitional Style Is the Most Popular Kitchen Design—Here's How to Ace the Look," 30 July 2020 Featuring a blend of 11 botanicals, including orris root, cassia, elderberries, and citrus, the new gin is clean, crisp, and aromatic. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, "The Comedic Director Behind 'Bridesmaids' Has a Very Serious New Project — Craft Gin," 29 July 2020 Season well with salt, pepper, and dollop with some chile crisp or chile oil. — Hetty Mckinnon, Bon Appétit, "6 Delicious Ways to Bulk Up Instant Noodles," 10 July 2020 And the Duchess isn't the only celebrity obsessed with the crisp white sneaks, which are made of breathable 100% cotton. — Amanda Tarlton, USA TODAY, "10 celebrity-loved things you can buy on sale at Amazon right now," 24 June 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Here are our favorite rhubarb recipes,from airy rhubarb mousse to sweet rhubarb-strawberry jam and wine-poached rhubarb and poppy seed crisp. — Saveur Editors, Saveur, "18 Rhubarb Recipes To Love Beyond Rhubarb Pie," 12 May 2020 Thus the fried calamari, tender and crisp, glides to the table as if on a barge, and the soup of the day (lentil is especially soothing) could fill a tureen. — Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, "Filomena takes generosity to the extreme," 10 Oct. 2019 Bracketing the meatball sub are a pair of sandwiches built around chicken cutlets, tender breast pounded thin, coated with crush breadcrumbs and pan-fried to a golden crisp. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "Here's what to order on Chris Bianco's new Italian-American menu at Pane Bianco Van Buren," 27 Jan. 2020 Cheese crisps stand in well for crackers and croutons, whether over salads or in a bowl of soup. — NBC News, "Staying home due to the coronavirus? Here's what to stock in your fridge and pantry," 12 Mar. 2020 Garner and Garten received help from some of the kids in attendance to make an apple crisp and chipotle sweet mashed potatoes. — Mary Honkus, PEOPLE.com, "Jennifer Garner and Ina Garten Reunite to Cook a Thanksgiving Meal for a Good Cause," 15 Nov. 2019 The tacos were attractive, the crisp of the vegetables a nice contrast to the soft roti — but light on duck. — Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Mai Thai offers guests a Thai-club sandwich | Review," 31 Oct. 2019 Her intriguing recent oils on canvas and panel at the Los Angeles gallery Luis De Jesus are painted with brushless exactitude, their crisp and controlled surfaces belying personal and interpersonal complexities beneath. — Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, "In Laura Krifka’s paintings, you’re the voyeur looking in with naked attraction," 2 Oct. 2019 The prixe fixe dinner menu ($50 per person) offers three courses complete with one of beaucoup options for dessert, including the peach and fig pavlova or the plum crisp. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "The Dish: 2019 Oktoberfest celebrations kick off Friday in El Cajon, Encinitas and Liberty Station," 26 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Fry undisturbed for a couple of minutes, to allow the bottom to crisp up. — Hetty Mckinnon, Bon Appétit, "6 Delicious Ways to Bulk Up Instant Noodles," 10 July 2020 Just barely stale loaves can be wrapped in wet towels, then put in a three-hundred-degree oven to crisp. — Tamar Adler, The New Yorker, "Don’t Throw Out Your Kids’ Uneaten Sandwich Crusts," 28 June 2020 Slice up cauliflower and halloumi, crisp it under the broiler and let harissa do the heavy lifting. — Kari Sonde, Washington Post, "Harissa brings the heat in these 5 recipes," 11 June 2020 With in seconds the cheese begins to melt, the sauce begins to bubble and the thin crust begins to crisp. — al, "Mobile restaurant group opens area’s first Blaze Pizza," 20 May 2020 This spiced egg in a hole is delicious multitasking: As the spices crack open in the warm olive oil, the first side of your bread (minus a hole in the middle) begins to crisp. — Washington Post, "Spiced Bread Egg in a Hole," 12 May 2020 And pounded and breaded a rib chop or portion of boneless loin to flatten and crisp it for veal Parm or its more elite cousin, veal Milanese? — Florence Fabricant, New York Times, "An Italian Specialty for Spring, Veal, for Takeout and Delivery," 5 May 2020 Look, the leaves rusting and crisping at the edges. — Ellen Mccarthy, Washington Post, "I gave up on being Superwoman a long time ago. I don’t do everything.," 6 May 2020 The crust crisps nicely and was tasty, and the mild and creamy beer cheese sauce was a delicious change of pace. — cleveland, "We ate 130 frozen pizzas and ranked them, worst to best; Nos. 1-2 made by same company," 10 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crisp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near crisp

crisis theologian

crisis theology

Statistics for crisp

Last Updated

5 Aug 2020

Cite this Entry

“Crisp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crisp. Accessed 5 Aug. 2020.

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More Definitions for crisp

crisp

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of crisp

(Entry 1 of 3)

: dry, hard, and easily broken

: pleasantly firm and making a sharp sound when chewed or crushed

: clean, smooth, and somewhat stiff

crisp

noun

English Language Learners Definition of crisp (Entry 2 of 3)

: a thin, hard, and usually salty piece of food

US : a dessert made of cooked fruit with a sweet, dry topping

crisp

verb

English Language Learners Definition of crisp (Entry 3 of 3)

: to make (something) crisp or to become crisp

See the full definition for crisp in the English Language Learners Dictionary

crisp

\ ˈkrisp

\

crisper; crispest

Kids Definition of crisp

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : being thin, hard, and easily crumbled crisp potato chips

2 : pleasantly firm and fresh crisp celery

3 : being clear and brief a crisp reply

4 : pleasantly cool and invigorating : brisk a crisp autumn day

5 : having clear details a crisp photo

crisp

crisped; crisping

Kids Definition of crisp (Entry 2 of 2)

: to make or keep something crispy or fresh

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