crisp
crisp
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "crisp" is /krɪsp/.
First and only syllable: /krɪsp/
/k/: voiceless velar stop
/r/: voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/: voiceless alveolar fricative
/p/: voiceless bilabial stop
Word Form Variations
Adjective: crisp, crisper, crispest
Verb: crisp, crisps, crisping, crisped
Noun: crisp (singular), crisps (plural - primarily British English)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: (Of food) Firm, dry, and easily broken; having a pleasingly crunchy texture.
Synonyms: crunchy, brittle, crackly, fresh
Antonyms: soggy, stale, soft, limp
Definition 2: (Of air or weather) Fresh, cool, and invigorating; pleasantly cold.
Synonyms: brisk, keen, nippy, refreshing
Antonyms: humid, stuffy, muggy, warm
Definition 3: (Of a style or manner) Neat, sharp, and precise; clear and distinct.
Synonyms: precise, sharp, distinct, concise, neat
Antonyms: vague, unclear, muddled, sloppy
Verb
Definition 1: To make or become firm, dry, and brittle, especially by cooking.
Synonyms: char, brown, dry, harden
Antonyms: soften, moisten, dampen
Definition 2: To make (something, especially paper or fabric) neat and stiff.
Synonyms: stiffen, iron, smooth, pleat
Antonyms: wrinkle, crease, rumple
Noun
Definition 1: (British English) A very thin slice of potato or other food that has been fried or baked until crisp; a potato chip.
Synonyms: chip (US English), wafer, snack
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific food item)
Definition 2: (In reference to something that is crisp) The quality of being crisp.
Synonyms: crunchiness, freshness, sharpness
Antonyms: sogginess, staleness, limpness
Examples of Use
Books: "The autumn air was crisp, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and woodsmoke." (From The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, September 2011)
Newspapers: "Economists predict a crisp rebound in the housing market, with sales figures showing promising growth." (From The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications: "Our new recipe for roasted Brussels sprouts promises a perfectly crisp exterior with a tender interior." (From Bon Appétit online)
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): In a cooking show, a judge might comment, "The fried chicken has a wonderfully crisp coating." (Heard on MasterChef, various episodes)
Entertainment Mediums (Music): A music critic might describe a new album's production as having "crisp drums and clear vocals."
Entertainment Platforms (Video Games): A game review might state, "The graphics are crisp, making the detailed environments truly shine."
General Public Discourse: "I love these potato crisps; they're so crunchy!" (Common casual conversation, heard in various settings)
General Public Discourse: "The presentation she gave was very crisp and to the point, no unnecessary fluff." (Discussing a business meeting or academic lecture)
General Public Discourse: "The mountain air up here is so crisp, it really wakes you up." (Casual conversation among hikers)
10 Quotes Using Crisp
"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby)
"It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it." (John Burroughs)
"Lettuce is like conversation; it must be fresh and crisp, so sparkling that you scarcely notice the bitter in it." (Charles Dudley Warner)
"My favorite way to cook trout is whole, bone-in, on the grill. The fish are stuffed with sliced lemons and herb sprigs, brushed with oil, and cooked over fairly hot coals until the skin is crisp and the flesh is moist and flaky." (Tom Douglas)
"I adore the designer B. Michael's curve-flattering gowns, but there is nothing better than jeans with a crisp white shirt." (Tamara Tunie)
"Mollywood movies are narrated at their own pace, unlike Telugu movies, which ought to be crisp." (Naga Chaitanya)
"The editing has to be crisp. Your hard work should show, but effortlessly." (Salman Khan)
"Good tempura should be pale blond with an extraordinarily lacy, light, and crisp coating." (J. Kenji Lopez-Alt)
"The air is crisp on my skin, and though my hands are wrapped under thick gloves, I shove my fists into my pockets anyway." (Alexandra Christo, To Kill a Kingdom)
"Regardless of whether you prefer your waffle light golden or dark brown, it should be crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside." (Sohla El-Waylly)
Etymology
The word "crisp" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It ultimately comes from the Latin word "crispus," which meant "curled," "wrinkled," or "having curly hair." So, imagine someone with tightly curled hair, that's the original image.
This Latin word then made its way into Old English as "crisp" or "cryps," and its first known use, around the year 900, was indeed to describe something curly. For example, someone might have talked about "crispe loccas fægre," meaning "beautiful curly locks" of hair.
Over time, the meaning of "crisp" broadened. In the Middle English period (around 1150-1500), it also started to refer to fabrics that were crinkly or wrinkled. By the 16th century, it began to take on the meaning of "brittle" or "easily broken," especially when talking about food, which is the sense we often use today (think of a "crisp" apple or a "crisp" biscuit). This might have developed from the idea of something flat becoming wrinkled or stiff when cooked.
Later on, in the 19th century, "crisp" also developed its meanings related to air or weather being "fresh and invigorating," and to things being "neat, sharp, and precise."
So, while today we mostly think of "crisp" as crunchy food or cool air, its linguistic roots actually go back to describing curly hair!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Crisp
Crisp and clear: Refers to something that is very distinct, easy to understand, or sharp in appearance or sound.
Crisp as a new banknote: Describes something that is very neat, fresh, or in pristine condition.
Crisp autumn air: A common descriptive phrase for the cool, invigorating air in the fall.
To crisp up: To make something firm and brittle, usually through cooking.
A crisp finish: In reference to wine, a dry and refreshing aftertaste.
Crisp prose: Writing that is concise, clear, and to the point.
Crunch time: (Using a synonym for "crisp" in the context of food texture) A critical period when a lot of work needs to be done in a short amount of time.
A crunchy decision: (Using a synonym) A difficult or impactful decision.
To go limp: (Antonym for "crisp") To lose firmness or energy.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of crisp from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
