crunchy

American  

[kruhn-chee] / ˈkrʌn tʃi /

adjective

crunchier, comparative crunchiest superlative

1. crisp; brittle.

2. Slang. crunchy-granola.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• crunchiness
  noun
• crunchily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Adjectives

• crunchier
  comparative
• crunchiest
  superlative

Etymology

Origin of crunchy

First recorded in 1890–95; crunch + -y ¹

Explanation

When you bite into something crunchy, its brittleness makes a distinct, crisp sound. There's nothing like munching your way through a bag of crunchy potato chips. There's a delightful crispness to crunchy things, whether you're eating raw carrots, tortilla chips, or toasted almonds. While most crunchy items are edible, you can also use the word to describe things that make a similar crisp, crackling sound — think of jumping into a pile of crunchy leaves. An informal meaning, "environmentally liberal" or "hippie," comes from the phrase "crunchy granola" and the implication that nature lovers enjoy healthy foods like granola.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

crunchy crunchier crunchiest

Cubes of sharp white cheddar bring that unmistakable Midwestern deli-counter energy, while chopped cucumber, snap peas, shaved celery and scallions keep everything cool and crunchy.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

Hilton gleefully wielded the crunchy mass with one hand as he pointed to the Original Del Taco sign with the other.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026

"It's just crunchy and light and salty and briny," says Standridge.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

A huge shipment of Nestle's crunchy KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Europe, the brand said, warning that the heist risked causing shortages in stores right before Easter.

From Barron's ● Mar. 28, 2026

The grass in our new yard was as brown and crunchy as peanut brittle.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Throughout the Middle East - where fresh, thin flatbreads dry out even faster than foccacia - there’s a greener, crunchier cousin of panzanella: fattoush.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 8, 2023

“It’s certainly not Mozart. It’s more contemporary and plays with crunchier chords. We’re playing with a bit more chromaticism and distorting the rhythm.”

From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2023

Yes, she still cuts them this way, claiming that the kimchi, when left intact like this, ripens slower but ends up tasting crunchier and yummier.

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2022

My first instinct was to make a savory granola, which was … nice, but I realized that I was looking for a nuttier, seedier — dare I say it — crunchier result.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 23, 2022

And because it had gotten warmer outside, the snow had become crunchier and wetter: good packing snow.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

The crunchiest — while remaining easy to bite — was the chocolate swirled into fairly complicated spirals.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 5, 2022

Its inclusion turns the salad into the crunchiest in memory.

From Washington Post ● May 29, 2022

Then I discovered the key to low-fuss granola: Make it in the air fryer, which turns out morsels that exceed even my crunchiest dreams.

From Washington Post ● May 4, 2022

If you are looking for the best French fries in Los Angeles, the ones here are pretty close, cooked in a complex multi-step process that makes them all the crunchiest ones on the plate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2017

Back then, the crunchiest health food store in my hometown was the only place where you could find wheat-free products.

From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2015