crackling

[krak-ling or for 2, 3, -luh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR crackling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the making of slight cracking sounds rapidly repeated.

the crisp browned skin or rind of roast pork.

Usually cracklings. Southern U.S. the crisp residue left when fat, especially hog or chicken fat, is rendered.

Origin of crackling

First recorded in 1540–50; crackle + -ing¹

crackle

[krak-uh l]

verb (used without object), crack·led, crack·ling.

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), crack·led, crack·ling.

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.

crackleware.

Origin of crackle

First recorded in 1490–1500; crack + -le

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for crackling

sparkle, sound, break, snap, crinkle, crepitate, decrepitate

Examples from the Web for crackling

Contemporary Examples of crackling

He has a lean, crackling energy about him, a sense of dramatic flourish, a resonant voice that is not unaware of its own music.
Nigeria’s Larger-Than-Life Nobel Laureate Chronicles a Fascinating Life
Chimamanda Adichie
August 9, 2014
They danced to music pounding from the crackling speakers, sipped beers and then parted.
Liberia’s Child Prostitutes
Clair MacDougall
May 19, 2014
Zosia Mamet is spectacular in the second episode on premiere night, showing off some crackling comedic timing.
The New Season of ‘Girls’ Is Just Good. Can We Handle That?
Kevin Fallon
January 9, 2014
The subsidiary fair, Volta, was crackling; there, I ran into Katelijne de Backer of the Armory.
Live From Art Basel
Anthony Haden-Guest
June 17, 2010

Historical Examples of crackling

And over all was a constant hum, a crackling, a whining of spinning parts.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
His voice was almost a scream, shrill and crackling with excitement.
Two Thousand Miles Below
Charles Willard Diffin
The linen was crackling between his fingers, and splinters of ice were breaking off.
His Masterpiece
Emile Zola
"'As the crackling of thorns under a pot,'" he quoted soberly.
Old Man Curry
Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
The badger kept on, until he heard the crackling of the burning twigs.
Harper's Young People, June 22, 1880
Various

British Dictionary definitions for crackling

crackling

noun

the crisp browned skin of roast pork

crackle

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for crackling

crackle

mid-15c., crackelen, frequentative of cracken "to crack" (see crack (v.)). Related: Crackled; crackling. The noun is recorded from 1833.