# crackle

/ˈkɹækəɫ/ (US) · /kɹˈækəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crackle
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a sharp, short sound like a tiny explosion. You often hear it when you walk on dry leaves or when you open a bag of chips.

For teachers: a sharp, staccato sound produced by the sudden release of energy, such as the breaking of brittle material or the discharge of static electricity.

## Examples

- The dry leaves made a loud crackle under my boots.
- The fire in the hearth provided a constant crackle that made the room feel warm and inviting.
- The static discharge created a distinct crackle in the speaker, momentarily disrupting the otherwise clear transmission of the emergency broadcast.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.