ENGLISH
REFERENCE

crunchy

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɹəntʃi// UK //kɹˈʌntʃi// crunchy Informal Slang

adj. describing music that has a rough, distorted, or heavy sound. You use this when the sound feels sharp and powerful rather than smooth.

adj. characterised by a gritty, distorted, or harmonically dense texture, particularly in electronic or rock music. Often used to describe guitar tones or synthesiser patches with high gain or bit-crushing effects.


SIMPLE

The guitar has a really crunchy sound on this track.

CONTEXTUAL

The producer added some distortion to the bassline to give it a crunchy, aggressive feel that cuts through the mix.

COMPLEX

While the verses remain melodic and clean, the chorus erupts with crunchy power chords that provide a stark, visceral contrast to the earlier atmospheric sections.

Origin

From crunch + -y. The slang sense is derived from the concept of crunchy granola.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'sound' or 'feel'.

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