crisp

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

Examples of crisp in a Sentence

Crisp the celery in ice water.

Recent Examples on the Web

Crumbled to bits and crisped up in a pan, a block of firm tofu becomes an enticing (and easy) dinner. —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 May 2026

Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and bake until the edges of the pasta are crisped, the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

If desired, turn on the broiler for an additional 1 minute to further darken and crisp the skin. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

The Pizza Plate is a reusable metal tray that uses heat retention to re-crisp the bottom of your slice, restoring that golden, crunchy crust every pizza lover craves. —ABC News, 9 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing crisp

• burned to a crisp
• chile crisp
• chili crisp
• potato crisp
• to a crisp

Rhymes for crisp

• lisp
• wisp

Kids Definition

crisp

1 of 3 adjective

ˈkrisp 

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