crackle
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to make slight, sudden, sharp noises, rapidly repeated.
-
to form a network of fine cracks on the surface.
-
(of ceramic glaze) to craze.
-
to exhibit liveliness, vibrancy, anticipation, etc..
The play crackled with wit.
verb (used with object)
-
to cause to crackle.
-
to break with a crackling noise.
-
to craze (ceramic glaze).
noun
-
the act of crackling.
-
a crackling noise.
-
a network of fine cracks, as in the glaze of some kinds of porcelain.
verb
-
to make or cause to make a series of slight sharp noises, as of paper being crushed or of a wood fire burning
-
(tr) to decorate (porcelain or pottery) by causing a fine network of cracks to appear in the glaze
-
(intr) to abound in vivacity or energy
noun
-
the act or sound of crackling
-
intentional crazing in the glaze of a piece of porcelain or pottery
-
Also called: crackleware. porcelain or pottery so decorated
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
cracklesimple
-
cracklessimple
-
have crackledperfect
-
has crackledperfect
-
am cracklingprogressive
-
are cracklingprogressive
-
is cracklingprogressive
-
have been cracklingperfect progressive
-
has been cracklingperfect progressive
Past
-
crackledsimple
-
had crackledperfect
-
was cracklingprogressive
-
were cracklingprogressive
-
had been cracklingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of crackle
Explanation
To crackle is to make short, sharp cracking noises. A roaring fire in your wood stove crackles as it burns. Fires crackle, as small branches pop and snap from the heat, and a voice over an intercom might crackle with static. You could also describe the sound of your feet on dried leaves and branches as you walk through the woods as a crackle. A visual crackle, as opposed to one you hear, appears as tiny cracks in the surface: "I like that crackle effect on your table."
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.
He had no choice but to turn it away as warnings of attacks continued to crackle over the radio.
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
When he sat up, he heard the skin on his stomach crackle.
From Slate • May 13, 2026
Aref Montazeri, a rising-star artist, had just finished breakfast in his fifth-floor apartment overlooking Tehran when he heard the first crackle of war nearly two months ago.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
Little bites of umami crackle and crunch that bring a welcome jolt of delight to some of my favorite dishes — congee, citrusy chicken Caesar wraps, anything that benefits from a salty, shattery finish.
From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026
Wylan said, that panicked crackle back in his voice.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
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.
