crack

present singular third person cracks · participle present cracking · participle past cracked · past cracked

1. intransitiveTo form cracks.

   It's been so dry, the ground is starting to crack.

2. intransitiveTo break apart under force, stress, or pressure.

   When I tried to stand on the chair, it cracked.

3. intransitiveTo become debilitated by psychological pressure.

   Anyone would crack after being hounded like that.

4. intransitiveTo break down or yield, especially under interrogation or torture.

   When we showed him the pictures of the murder scene, he cracked.

5. intransitiveTo make a cracking sound.

   The bat cracked with authority and the ball went for six.

6. intransitiveTo change rapidly in register.

   His voice cracked with emotion.

7. intransitiveTo alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering.

   His voice finally cracked when he was fourteen.

8. intransitiveTo make a sharply humorous comment.

   "I would too, with a face like that," she cracked.

9. intransitivetransgender slangTo realize that one is transgender.

   She cracked at age 22 and came out to her friends and family over the next few months.

   Synonyms: one's egg cracks

10. transitiveTo make a crack or cracks in.

    The ball cracked the window.

11. transitiveTo break open or crush to small pieces by impact or stress.

    You'll need a hammer to crack a black walnut.

12. transitiveTo strike forcefully.

    I cracked myhead on a beam.

    4 more examples

    She cracked him over the head with her handbag.

    Watch your head, don't crack it on that beam.

    Bedding provided for late session became ammunition—meet ended in riot when Labor man cracked leader on jaw.

    1914 June 10, “Pillow Fight In Australian Parliament”, in Independence Daily Reporter

    ‘I vow to crack him full sore,’ said the knight, taking out his writing-table and making a note.

    1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 54

13. transitiveTo open slightly.

    Could you please crack the window?

14. figurativelytransitiveTo cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure.

    They managed to crack him on the third day.

15. figurativelytransitiveTo solve a difficult problem.

    I've finally cracked it, and of course the answer is obvious in hindsight.

    1 more example

    "[...] The key to battery trains is more the ability to charge quickly. If you can do that, you've cracked it."

    2021 November 17, Conrad Landin, “Network News: Vivarail goes forth with fast-charging batteries”, in RAIL, number 944, page 13

16. transitiveTo overcome a security system or component.

    They finally cracked the code.

    1 more example

    It took a minute to crack the lock, three minutes to crack the security system, and about twenty minutes to crack the safe.

17. transitiveTo cause to make a sharp sound.

    to crack a whip

    1 more example

    Hershell cracked his knuckles, a nervous habit that drove Inez crazy[…]

    2001, Doug McGuinn, The Apple Indians

18. transitiveTo tell (a joke).

    The performance was fine until he cracked that dead baby joke.

19. transitivechemistryTo break down (a complex molecule), especially with the application of heat: to pyrolyse.

    Acetone is cracked to ketene and methane at 700°C.

20. transitivecomputingTo circumvent software restrictions such as regional coding or time limits.

    That software licence will expire tomorrow unless we can crack it.

    1 more example

    Nobody really knows how much actual damage cracking does to the software companies. But as the industry rolls apprehensively toward the uncertain future of an ever-more frictionless electronic marketplace, almost everyone thinks piracy will increase.

    1997 April 1, David McCandless, “Warez Wars”, in Wired, →ISSN

21. informaltransitiveTo open a canned beverage, or any packaged drink or food.

    I'd love to crack open a beer.

    2 more examples

    Let's crack a tube and watch the game.

    Old Bouvet was waiting in the passage when I entered, and he asked me whether we might not crack a bottle of wine together.

    1894, The Strand, volume 8, page 569

22. obsoleteTo brag; to boast.

    And Æthiopes of their ſweet complexion crack.

    c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 134, column 2, line 268

    3 more examples

    To whom the boaſter, that all knights did blot, / With proud diſdaine did ſcornefull anſwere make; […] And further did vncomely ſpeaches crake.

    1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto III”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 16, page 216

    Stultitiam ſuam produnt &c. (ſaith Platerus) your very tradeſmen, if they be excellent, will crack and bragge, and ſhew their folly in exceſſe.

    1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Cauſes of Melancholy. Vaine-glory, Pride, Ioy, Praiſe, &c.”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition I, section 2, member 3, subsection 14, page 126

    Cardan cracks that he can cure all diſeaſes with water alone, as Hippocrates of old did moſt infirmities with one medicine.

    1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Cure of Melancholy. Simple alternatives. Compound Alternatiues, Cenſure of Compounds and mixt Phyſick.”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 4, member 1, subsection v

23. archaiccolloquialTo be ruined or impaired; to fail.

    The credit[…]of exchequers cracks, when little comes in and much goes out.

    1697, Virgil, “Dedications”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

24. colloquialTo barely reach or attain (a measurement or extent).

    An underground band that never cracked the Hot 100

    1 more example

    IQ (Intelligence Quotient), number said to measure an individual's intelligence that many experts who clearly didn't crack 125 say overlooks important attributes such as creativity and social skills.

    2012, The Onion Book of Known Knowledge, page 102

25. mid 2020s slangTo have sex with a female or feminine person for the first time, especially penetrative sex.

    Did you hear about Josh cracking Stacy in the school hall?

    1 more example

    […] they end up thinking that they can escape the pain of incel-dom by “cracking” a femboy […]

    2025 September 17, Henry Giardina, “Transmaxxing, femboys & the groyper ideology that’s poisoning people’s brains”, in Queerty

    Synonyms: approach, cohabit, common, company, copulate, couple, engage in sex, exchange flesh

    1. usuallymid 2020s slangTo have sex.

       i shifted to crack him. i cracked him real good in my dr.

       2026 May 20, u/yakhdili, “addressing the new shiftcels who are interested in knowing about my experience, this will be good i promise.”, in r/shiftingcirclejerk (Reddit post)

       Synonyms: approach, cohabit, common, company, copulate, couple, engage in sex, exchange flesh

plural cracks

1. countableuncountableA thin and usually jagged space opened in a previously solid material.

   A large crack had formed in the roadway.

   Synonyms: crevice, fissure

2. countableuncountableA narrow opening.

   Open the door a crack.

   2 more examples

   We managed to squeeze through a crack in the rock wall.

   Dimitar Berbatov found the first cracks in the home side's resilience when he pulled one back from close range and Hernandez himself drew the visitors level with a composed finish three minutes later as Bloomfield Road's earlier jubilation turned to despair.

   2011 January 25, Phil McNulty, “Blackpool 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC

3. countablefigurativelyslanguncountableA sharply humorous comment; a wisecrack.

   I didn't appreciate that crack about my hairstyle.

4. countablefigurativelyslanguncommonuncountableA flaw, weakness, setback, or insecurity.

   It’s a fact all those cracks they can hold you back / But there’s a better way (there’s a better way) / Just keep on pushing, keep on pushing, keep on pushing / For a brighter day

   1978, Shalamar, “Leave It All Up to Love”, in Disco Gardens

5. countableslanguncountableCrack cocaine, a potent, relatively cheap, addictive variety of cocaine; often a rock, usually smoked through a crack pipe.

   crack head

   2 more examples

   And even as a crack fiend, Mama / You always was a black queen, Mama

   1995, “Dear Mama”, in Me Against the World, performed by 2Pac

   There were times when she could tell the Washingtons were overwhelmed by Jahlil's difficult ways, and one time Jessie even had the nerve to ask Carmiesha if she had smoked anything like crack or ice while she was pregnant with him.

   2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 122

   Synonyms: base, candy, crack rock, hard, rock, rocks, yay

6. broadlycountablefigurativelyhumorousslanguncountableSomething pleasurable (good-tasting or appealing) and habit-forming.

   kitty crack

   catnip

   2 more examples

   Her love was crack to me, and I was hooked real bad.

   When did naming foods after a powerful narcotic become a thing?[…]Now the mean streets of New York are rife with “salted crack caramel” ice cream, “pistachio crack” brittle, “crack steak” sandwiches, and “tuna on crack.”

   [2012 March 23, Rob Patronite, Robin Raisfeld, “Your Brain on Food”, in New York Magazine

7. countableonomatopoeicuncountableThe sharp sound made when solid material breaks.

   The crack of the falling branch could be heard for miles.

   Synonyms: pop, snap, clack, click, clunk, snap, pop, bang

8. countableonomatopoeicuncountableAny sharp sound.

   The crack of the bat hitting the ball.

   1 more example

   She broke to love in the opening game, only for Bartoli to hit straight back in game two, which was interrupted by a huge crack of thunder that made Lisicki jump and prompted nervous laughter from the 15,000 spectators.

   2011 June 28, Piers Newbery, “Wimbledon 2011: Sabine Lisicki beats Marion Bartoli”, in BBC Sport

9. countableuncountableA sharp, resounding blow.

   Mrs. Perkins, who has not been for some weeks on speaking terms with Mrs. Piper in consequence for an unpleasantness originating in young Perkins' having "fetched" young Piper "a crack," renews her friendly intercourse on this auspicious occasion.

   1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 11, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC

10. countableslanguncountableAn attempt at something.

    I'd like to take a crack at that game.

11. countableslanguncountablevulgarThe vagina.

    I rattled off more silly nonsense, all the while clutching her firmly, pushing my fingers into her gluey crack.

    1956, Henry Miller, Quiet Days in Clichy, Grove Press, published 1987, →ISBN, page 143

    Synonyms: crevice, gash, axe wound, bearded clam, beaver, berk, bonne bouche, box

12. countableslanguncountablevulgarThe space between the buttocks.

    Pull up your pants! Your crack is showing.

    Synonyms: arse crack, ass crack, buttcrack, bum crack, anal cleft, ass crack, buttcrack, gluteal cleft

13. IrelandNorthern EnglandScotlandcountableuncountableConviviality; fun; good conversation, chat, gossip, or humorous storytelling; good company.

    The party was great crack.

    5 more examples

    He's good crack. [It's nice having him around]

    But first I maun hae a crack wi' an auld acquaintance here.—Mr. Owen, Mr. Owen, how's a' wi' ye, man?

    1817, Walter Scott, chapter 5, in Rob Roy, volume 2, Edinburgh: James Ballantyne and Company, published 1818, page 193

    He seed 'em bawth as he coom'd frae t' Nab, / Nobbut aaf an hooer agone: / An' he stopp'd, did Jan, for a bit of a crack, / For t' gells was lahk aloan.

    1865, Arthur Munby, “T' Moossel Getherers”, in Verses New and Old, London: Bell and Daldy, page 54

    Being a native of Northumberland, she was enjoying their banter and Geordie good humour. This was what she needed — good company and good crack.

    2001, William F. Gray, The Villain, iUniverse, page 214

    "his a bit o' good crack — interesting to talk to"

    2004, Bill Griffiths, Dictionary of North East Dialect, Northumbria University Press (quoting Dunn, 1950)

    Synonyms: bonhomie, craic, jollity, joviality, laugh, warmth

14. CumbriaNorthern UKcountableuncountableA chat.

    And when he come down in the evenings, he’d drop in every night to have a crack wi’ Old Bob.

    1936, Arthur Ransome, chapter 3, in Pigeon Post

15. IrelandNorthern EnglandScotlandcountableuncountableBusiness; events; news.

    What's the crack?

    2 more examples

    What's this crack about a possible merger?

    But, aw see yo known him weel enough; an' so aw'll tell yo a bit of a crack abeawt him an' Owd Neddy.

    1869, Edwin Waugh, “Ramble from Bury to Rochdale”, in Lancashire Sketches, 3rd edition, London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

16. countableuncountablecomputingA program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions or usage limits on software.

    Has anyone got a crack for DocumentWriter 3.0?

17. UScountabledateduncountablegeographyAn expanding circle of white water surrounding the site of a large explosion at shallow depth, marking the progress of the shock wave through the air above the water.
18. InternetcountableuncountableExtremely silly, absurd or off-the-wall ideas or prose.
19. countableuncountableThe tone of voice when changed at puberty.

    And let vs (Polidore) though now our voyces / Haue got the manniſh cracke, ſing him to'th'ground

    1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 389, column 2

20. archaiccountableuncountableA mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity.

    He has a crack.

21. archaiccountableuncountableA crazy or crack-brained person.

    On the London Cries […] I have lately received a letter from some very odd fellow upon this subject […] ‘Sir, […], but I cannot get the parliament to listen to me ; who look upon me, forsooth, as a crack and a projector […] I am, SIR, &c. / RALPH CROTCHET’

    1711 December 28 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “MONDAY, December 18, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 251; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, pages 251-256

    Synonyms: crackpot

22. countableobsoleteuncountableA boast; boasting.

    D'ye hear wha's coming to cow yere cracks?

    1814, Walter Scott, chapter 30, in Waverley, volume 1, Boston: Samuel H. Parker, published 1828, page 224

    1 more example

    Slaunderous reproches,and fowle infamies, / Leaſings,backbytings,and vaineglorious crakes

    1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 10, page 350

    Synonyms: brag, vaunt

23. countableobsoleteuncountableBreach of chastity.

    But thinke her bond of Chaſtity quite crack'd, I hauing 'tane the forfeyt.

    1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 396

24. countableobsoleteuncountableA boy, generally a pert, lively boy.

    Indeed la, tis a noble childe. / - A Cracke Madam.

    c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], page 4, column 2

    1 more example

    The ſame Sir Iohn, the very ſame: I ſaw him breake Scogaan's Head at the Court-Gate, when hee was a Crack, not thus high: […]

    c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 86, column 2

    Synonyms: pistol

25. UKcountabledatedslanguncountableA brief time; an instant; a jiffy.

    I'll be with you in a crack.

    Synonyms: flash, moment, twink, bat of an eye, bit, blink of an eye, eyeblink, flash

26. countabledateduncountableAfrican-American VernacularThe act of hitting on someone.

    The eyes of my sisters who fear my crack^* [footnote] Before the popularization of the term "crack" as a drug, its common usage in the Black community referred to men publicly cruising and approaching women.

    1987 February 1, Joseph Beam, “Creating Myself from Scratch: Living as a Black Gay Man in the 1980s”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 28, page 5

27. countableobsoleteuncountablegypsy slangDry firewood.

1. not comparableHighly trained and competent.

   Even a crack team of investigators would have trouble solving this case.

2. not comparableExcellent, first-rate, superior, top-notch.

   She's a crack shot with that rifle.

   2 more examples

   Every scratch in the scheme was a gnarled oak in the forest of difficulty, and I went on cutting them down, one after another, with such vigour, that in three or four months I was in a condition to make an experiment on one of our crack speakers in the Commons.

   1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, chapter 38, in The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC

   Fortunately, it is unusual for the crack transatlantic liners to sail or dock on a Saturday, but it is the custom for most holiday cruises to start on that day, returning on Fridays a fortnight or three weeks later.

   1962 April, J. N. Faulkner, “Summer Saturday at Waterloo”, in Modern Railways, page 264

plural cracks

1. obsoleteOne who excels; the best, especially a winning racehorse.

   1st Gent. What dost think, Jockey? / 2nd Gent. The crack o' the field's against you.

   1888 [1637], James Shirley, Hyde Park, act IV, scene iii, page 236

   1 more example

   Stanton had at one time a reputation for inaccessibility, but that has long since become a thing of the past, […] So that the gallops of the cracks' can, in most cases, be regularly watched and their daily doings truthfully chronicled.

   1872, Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume 21, page 314

plural Cracks

1. A surname