English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj

crisp

krihsp
adj
1
Firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air).
"The apple was crisp and juicy."
"It was a crisp autumn morning."
2
Clear, sharp, and precise.
"He gave a crisp answer without hesitation."
noun
1
British English: a thin fried slice of potato sold as a snack (called a "chip" in American English).
"She opened a bag of salt and vinegar crisps."

How to Use Crisp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFirm and pleasingly brittle, or clear and precise; in British English, also a fried potato snack.

UK vs US

British English "crisp" (the snack) is American English "chip"; British "chips" are American "fries."

Common pairings
crisp air crisp voice a packet of crisps

Word Forms

crisper comparative, crisped past tense, crisps plural, crisps singular, crispest superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “crisp” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The apple was _____ and juicy.

Etymology

From Old English crisp, "curly," from Latin crispus — originally describing curly hair, later extended to the crackly, brittle sense we use today.

Rhymes for crisp

See all rhymes for crisp →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial