Word
cramp
US/ˈkɹæmp/
UK/kɹˈæmp/
Definitions
01muscle pain
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine
n. a sudden, sharp pain in a muscle that becomes tight and hard to move.
n. a painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, typically caused by fatigue or strain.
日本語:けいれん※
“The swimmer had to stop because he got a bad cramp in his leg.”
“Athletes are often advised to stay hydrated to prevent the onset of muscle cramps during high-intensity endurance events.”
Usage
Often used with 'get' or 'have'.
02period pain
B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun Medicine
n. pains in the lower stomach area that some women feel during their period.
n. painful sensations, often described as spasms, occurring in the lower abdomen during menstruation.
“She stayed home from work because she was suffering from severe stomach cramps.”
“While mild menstrual cramps are common, chronic pelvic pain may require a consultation with a specialist to rule out underlying conditions.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural form 'cramps'.
Synonyms
03to restrict
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to limit someone's freedom or prevent them from developing naturally.
v. to restrict or hamper the development, movement, or expression of someone or something.
“Living in such a small apartment really cramps my style.”
“The new government regulations threatened to cramp the startup's ability to innovate within the rapidly evolving tech sector.”
Usage
Commonly used in the idiom 'cramp someone's style'.
Teaching tip
The figurative use is most common in the fixed phrase 'cramp my style', meaning to prevent someone from acting the way they want to.
Antonyms
04muscle contracting
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
v. when a muscle suddenly becomes tight and very painful.
v. to experience or be affected by involuntary muscle spasms.
“My calf muscle started to cramp halfway through the marathon.”
“The patient reported that his hands would frequently cramp after several hours of repetitive typing at his desk.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“I keep most of my files on a NAS so I can access them from any device, and Googlebooks were cramping my style.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *krampôder. Frankish *krampōder. Proto-Germanic *krampôder. Middle Dutch crampeder. Old French crampebor. Middle English crampe English cramp From Middle English crampe, from Old French crampe (“cramp”), from Frankish krampa (“cramp”), from Proto-West Germanic krampu, from Proto-Germanic *krampō (“cramp, clasp”). Distant relative of English crop.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/cramp
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0