crisp

[krisp]

adjective

crisper, crispest 

1. (especially of food) hard but easily breakable; brittle.

   crisp toast.

2. (especially of food) firm and fresh; not soft or wilted.

   a crisp leaf of lettuce.

3. brisk; sharp; clear; decided.

   a crisp reply.

4. lively; pithy; sparkling.

   crisp repartee.

5. clean-cut, neat, and well-pressed; well-groomed.

6. invigorating; bracing.

   crisp air.

   Synonyms: nippy, fresh, brisk

7. crinkled, wrinkled, or rippled, as skin or water.

8. in small, stiff, or firm curls; curly.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become crisp.

2. to curl.

noun

1. Chiefly British.,  potato chip.

2. Cooking.,  a dessert of fruit, as apples or apricots, baked with a crunchy mixture, usually of breadcrumbs, chopped nutmeats, butter, and brown sugar.

crisp

/ krɪsp /

adjective

1. dry and brittle

2. fresh and firm

   crisp lettuce

3. invigorating or bracing

   a crisp breeze

4. clear; sharp

   crisp reasoning

5. lively or stimulating

   crisp conversation

6. clean and orderly; neat

   a crisp appearance

7. concise and pithy; terse

   a crisp reply

8. wrinkled or curly

   crisp hair

verb

1. to make or become crisp

noun

1. a very thin slice of potato fried and eaten cold as a snack

2. something that is crisp

Other Word Forms

• crisply adverb
• crispness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisp¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, from Latin crispus “curled”

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisp¹

Old English, from Latin crispus curled, uneven, wrinkled

Idioms and Phrases

see burn to a cinder (crisp).

Example Sentences

Real baseball is played when the evening air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change.

From Los Angeles Times

And for food it covers everything from crisps, sweets and chocolates to ice creams, pastries, cakes, fishfingers and some pizzas.

From BBC

But when it finally came out of the oven — improbably perfect, golden brown, the Bundt ridges crisped and glistening — I felt a little giddy.

From Salon

Hansen might ask the would-be offenders, his demeanor crisp and casual.

From Los Angeles Times

But the music is vintage Price, steeped in classic country, wisecracks and crisp storytelling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crispy 
• crumbly 
• crusty 
• fresh 
• plump