craze

[kreyz]

verb (used with object)

crazed, crazing 

1. to derange or impair the mind of; make insane.

   He was crazed by jealousy.

2. to make small cracks on the surface of (a ceramic glaze, paint, or the like); crackle.

3. British Dialect.,  to crack.

4. Archaic.,  to weaken; impair.

   to craze one's health.

5. Obsolete.,  to break; shatter.

verb (used without object)

crazed, crazing 

1. to become insane; go mad.

2. to become minutely cracked, as a ceramic glaze; crackle.

3. Metallurgy.

   1. (of a case-hardened object) to develop reticulated surface markings; worm.

   2. (of an ingot) to develop an alligator skin as a result of being teemed into an old and worn mold.

4. Archaic.,  to fall to pieces; break.

noun

1. a popular or widespread fad, fashion, etc.; mania.

   the newest dance craze.

   Synonyms: mode, vogue

2. insanity; an insane condition.

3. a minute crack or pattern of cracks in the glaze of a ceramic object.

4. Obsolete.,  flaw; defect.

craze

/ kreɪz /

noun

1. a short-lived current fashion

2. a wild or exaggerated enthusiasm

   a craze for chestnuts

3. mental disturbance; insanity

verb

1. to make or become mad

2. ceramics metallurgy to develop or cause to develop a fine network of cracks

3. archaic,  (tr) to break

4. archaic,  (tr) to weaken

Word History and Origins

Origin of craze¹

1325–75; Middle English crasen to crush < Scandinavian; compare Swedish, Norwegian krasa to shatter, crush

Word History and Origins

Origin of craze¹

C14 (in the sense: to break, shatter): probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish krasa to shatter, ultimately of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Then sit your great grandma down in a comfortable chair and explain the whole “6-7” craze.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The recent craze for revivals and re-releases has spurred something many fans have long clamored to see: Quentin Tarantino’s complete “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The brokerage, which rocketed to fame with younger investors during the meme-stock craze earlier this decade, has sought to keep pace with the evolving needs of its customers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

By this time the craze for Internet stocks was completely out of control and had infected the Stanford University medical community.

Read more on Literature

Many of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI craze saw their shares hit particularly hard last week, before bouncing back on Monday.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• enthusiasm 
• fever 
• furor 
• mania 
• passion 
• rage 
• trend