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

That this one moment became so central to the craze—it was plucked from the middle of a 36-minute basketball video—makes almost as little sense as the craze itself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like the Nasdaq, silver’s gains have been fueled by the craze over artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and the energy transition.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Milk has been one beneficiary of the protein craze.

Read more on BBC

From eggs with sad faces to smiling peanuts, the Jellycat craze has made a big impact on the toy industry.

Read more on BBC

Although her record has since been surpassed, the exploit gained the attention of politicians and celebrities and inspired a craze for feats of endurance across Nigeria.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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