# crutch

/ˈkɹətʃ/ (US) · /kɹˈʌtʃ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crutch
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a piece of equipment used to help you walk when you have an injury. It is also a word for something you rely on to help you do a job, like a tool or a habit.

For teachers: a device used to support the weight of the body during walking; by extension, a person or thing that provides support or assistance in a particular situation.

## Examples

- He used a walking crutch after his leg surgery.
- The team relied on a single crutch to keep the project moving forward while they waited for the new software to arrive.
- While the initial crutch of the assistant's expertise was necessary to launch the product, the company eventually had to develop its own internal systems to maintain long-term growth.

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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.