craze
Americanverb (used with object)
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to derange or impair the mind of; make insane.
He was crazed by jealousy.
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to make small cracks on the surface of (a ceramic glaze, paint, or the like); crackle.
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British Dialect. to crack.
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Archaic. to weaken; impair.
to craze one's health.
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Obsolete. to break; shatter.
verb (used without object)
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to become insane; go mad.
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to become minutely cracked, as a ceramic glaze; crackle.
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Metallurgy.
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(of a case-hardened object) to develop reticulated surface markings; worm.
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(of an ingot) to develop an alligator skin as a result of being teemed into an old and worn mold.
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Archaic. to fall to pieces; break.
noun
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a short-lived current fashion
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a wild or exaggerated enthusiasm
a craze for chestnuts
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mental disturbance; insanity
verb
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to make or become mad
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ceramics metallurgy to develop or cause to develop a fine network of cracks
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archaic (tr) to break
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archaic (tr) to weaken
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has crazedperfect 3rd person singular
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have crazedperfect
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am crazingprogressive 1st person singular
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has been crazingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are crazingprogressive
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is crazingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been crazingperfect progressive
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crazingparticiple
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crazessingular 3rd person
Past
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had crazedperfect
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was crazingprogressive singular
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had been crazingperfect progressive
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were crazingprogressive plural
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crazedparticiple
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crazedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of craze
1325–75; Middle English crasen to crush < Scandinavian; compare Swedish, Norwegian krasa to shatter, crush
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What do you say to the critics that feel that a show like this either reignites that craze or contributes to it?
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
The agent craze has been fuelled by the sudden global popularity of OpenClaw, an agent tool known for its red lobster mascot.
From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026
The launch of the Royal Pop and its attraction as a handbag accessory is reminiscent of the 2024 Labubu craze, and should put AP on more women’s radar.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
“If the present automobile craze continues,” Oregon’s La Grande Evening Observer marveled, “the horse will see his finish.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
Like most Americans, he had become caught up in the bicycle craze that was ignited by the advent of the “safety” bicycle, with its same-sized wheels and chain-and-sprocket drive.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
