crunch

[ kruhnch ]

/ krʌntʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR crunch ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to crush with the teeth; chew with a crushing noise.

to crush or grind noisily.

to tighten or squeeze financially: The administration's policy seems to crunch the economy in order to combat inflation.

verb (used without object)

to chew with a crushing sound.

to produce, or proceed with, a crushing noise.

noun

an act or sound of crunching.

a shortage or reduction of something needed or wanted: the energy crunch.

distress or depressed conditions due to such a shortage or reduction: a budget crunch.

a critical or dangerous situation: When the crunch comes, just do your best.

Words nearby crunch

crump, crumpet, crumple, crumple zones, crumpled, crunch, crunch numbers, crunch time, cruncher, crunchie, crunchy

Idioms for crunch

crunch numbers, Computers.

to perform a great many numerical calculations or extensive manipulations of numerical data.
to process a large amount of data.

Also craunch.

Origin of crunch

1795–1805; blend of craunch and crush

OTHER WORDS FROM crunch

crunch·a·ble, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for crunch

The stories are told through the eyes of two fishing guides, Crunch and Des, with a spare grace and humor that stand strong.
Book Bag: Overlooked Classic Books From the Sunshine State|Randy Wayne White|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tomatoes' crunch and tang add new dimensions of delight.
The Ultimate Southern Cheeseburger Created in South Carolina|Jane & Michael Stern|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their physical footprint is smaller than a traditional Equinox or Crunch Fitness gym -- between 3,000 to 8,000 square feet.
Downsize Fitness, the Gym for Overweight Members Only|Daniel Gross|October 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Other products include steak-and-egg burritos, and the AM Crunch Wrap.
Can This Waffle Save America?|Daniel Gross|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Every robot punch, stab, blast, and crunch is necessary, and the action never grows monotonous.
Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Pacific Rim’ Is a Total Blast|Marlow Stern|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
More likely fear—listening for the town watch to become a voice instead of a crunch of boots.
Wilderness of Spring|Edgar Pangborn
Wheeler was sensible of a certain uneasiness as he listened to the crunch of the boring tool and the jarring thud of the hammers.
The Greater Power|Harold Bindloss
While I scrambled after a safe word, I heard the crunch of wheels upon the gravel.
The Professor's Mystery|Wells Hastings
A crunch of footsteps could be heard outside, cautiously approaching the barn door.
Motor Matt's Mystery|Stanley R. Matthews
Suddenly she heard the click and crunch of unwonted wheels upon the drive near the house.
True and Other Stories|George Parsons Lathrop

British Dictionary definitions for crunch

crunch

/ (krʌntʃ) /

verb

to bite or chew (crisp foods) with a crushing or crackling sound

to make or cause to make a crisp or brittle soundthe snow crunched beneath his feet

noun

the sound or act of crunching

short for abdominal crunch

the crunch informal the critical moment or situation

adjective

informal critical; decisivecrunch time

Also called: craunch

Derived forms of crunch

crunchable, adjectivecrunchy, adjectivecrunchily, adverbcrunchiness, noun

Word Origin for crunch

C19: changed (through influence of munch) from earlier craunch, of imitative origin

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

crunch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

Content related to crunch

Words related to crunch

Words nearby crunch

Idioms for crunch

Origin of crunch

OTHER WORDS FROM crunch

Examples from the Web for crunch

British Dictionary definitions for crunch

verb

noun

adjective

Derived forms of crunch

Word Origin for crunch