Word
crisp
US/ˈkɹɪsp/
UK/kɹˈɪsp/
Definitions
01firm and brittle food
A2 · Elementary Cooking
adj. food that is pleasantly hard and breaks easily when you bite it.
adj. describing a firm, dry, and brittle texture that breaks with a sharp sound when bitten or crushed.
“The lettuce in the salad was fresh and crisp.”
“To ensure the pastry remains crisp, avoid adding the fruit filling until immediately before the tart is served.”
02cold and clear weather
B1 · Intermediate
adj. weather that is pleasantly cold, dry, and clear.
adj. referring to air or weather that is invigoratingly cool, dry, and clear.
“We went for a long walk on a crisp autumn morning.”
“The crisp mountain air provided a welcome relief from the stifling humidity of the valley below.”
Antonyms
03clear and tidy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. clean, new, or easy to see and hear.
adj. characterised by clarity, sharpness of outline, or a clean, pressed appearance.
“He wore a crisp white shirt to his job interview.”
“The photograph was remarkably crisp, showing every detail of the distant shoreline despite the fading light.”
04concise speech
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. a way of speaking that is quick, clear, and uses few words.
adj. describing a style of communication that is brief, decisive, and clear without being rude.
“She gave a crisp reply and went back to her work.”
“The CEO's crisp instructions left no room for ambiguity regarding the upcoming merger.”
Antonyms
05potato snack
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Cooking British English
n. a very thin, fried slice of potato eaten as a snack.
n. a thin slice of potato fried or baked until brittle. In American English, these are called 'chips'.
“He bought a bag of salt and vinegar crisps from the shop.”
“The pub offers a variety of artisanal crisps to accompany their selection of local ales.”
Usage
Usually used in the plural form 'crisps'.
Teaching tip
Learners should be aware that 'crisp' in the UK is 'chip' in the US, while a UK 'chip' is a US 'french fry'.
Synonyms
06fruit dessert
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking American English
n. a dessert made of fruit baked with a crunchy topping.
n. a dessert consisting of fruit baked with a crumbly topping of flour, sugar, and butter.
“We had a warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream for dessert.”
“The recipe for rhubarb crisp requires a generous amount of oats in the topping to achieve the desired texture.”
Synonyms
07to make crunchy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Cooking
v. to make something become hard and crunchy by cooking it.
v. to make or become crisp, typically through the application of heat.
“Put the bacon under the grill for a few minutes to crisp it up.”
“The chef recommended searing the duck breast skin-side down to crisp the fat before finishing it in the oven.”
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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