cracked

American  

[krakt] / krækt /

adjective

1. broken.

   a container full of cracked ice.

2. broken without separation of parts; fissured.

3. damaged; injured.

4. Informal. eccentric; mad; daffy.

   a charming person, but a bit cracked.

5. broken in tone, as the voice.

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idioms

1. cracked up to be, reported or reputed to be (usually used in the negative).

   I hear the play is not what it's cracked up to be.

cracked British  

/ krækt /

adjective

1. damaged by cracking

2. informal crazy

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Other Word Forms

• uncracked
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cracked

First recorded in 1400–50, cracked is from the late Middle English word crachyd. See crack, -ed ²

Example Sentences

At the time, the irreverent news website had seemingly cracked the code for social-media virality.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Recently, both Amazon’s and Google’s TV apparatuses have cracked down on sideloading—the practice of downloading apps from third-party providers—by exclusively permitting downloads from their parent companies’ authorized app stores.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

“Thank God we listened to his pitch!” she cracked.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

A year ago, none of the memory makers cracked the top 10.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

On one side there were a few cracked full-length mirrors, and on the other, curling and faded, was an old-looking backdrop, a section of what appeared to be a village marketplace.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• broken
• damaged
• fractured