# crappy

/ˈkɹæˌpi/ (US) · /kɹˈæpi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crappy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. poor quality

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal · Vulgar

of very poor quality or badly made.

For teachers: of inferior quality, poorly constructed, or generally unsatisfactory.

- I bought a crappy umbrella that broke the first time it rained.
- The contractor used crappy materials to save money, resulting in several structural issues within the first year of the building's completion.

Usage: Commonly used to describe products, services, or artistic works.

Teaching tip: While common in casual speech, this word is considered mildly vulgar; students should avoid it in professional or academic settings.

### 2. unpleasant situation

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal · Vulgar

unpleasant, annoying, or making you feel bad.

For teachers: evoking a sense of unpleasantness, frustration, or general dissatisfaction.

- It was a crappy day at work because the computers kept crashing.
- After a series of crappy coincidences, the team found themselves stranded at the airport without their luggage or hotel reservations.

### 3. feeling sick or sad

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal · Vulgar

feeling ill, tired, or unhappy.

For teachers: experiencing a state of physical malaise or emotional depression.

- I've been feeling really crappy all morning, so I might go home early.
- She felt crappy for several days after the flu vaccine, though the doctor assured her it was a normal immune response.

Usage: Often follows the verbs 'feel' or 'look'.

Teaching tip: In American and Canadian English, this is a very common way to describe a minor illness or a bad mood.

## Examples

- The coffee tasted crappy this morning.
- We had to cancel the picnic because the weather turned crappy.
- The film received mixed reviews, with critics dismissing the plot as a crappy retelling of a classic story.

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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.