crush

The word “crush” means to squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed. In plain terms, physically squashing something, decisively beating an opponent, or having strong romantic feelings for someone.

“Crush” is pronounced kruhsh (/kɹʌʃ/ in IPA).

Here is “crush” used in a sentence: “The falling branch crushed the garden fence.”

Words with a similar meaning to “crush” include pulverise, slay at, kill and ace.

Depending on how it is used, “crush” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “crush” comes from Latin. From Old French croissir ("to crush, smash"), tracing back through Latin and Germanic roots meaning to grind or strike violently.

“Crush” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Crush” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed.

Both mean to press something out of shape. 'Crush' suggests pressing so hard that the object's structure is destroyed, often with force. 'Squash' can be gentler, meaning to press something flat or into a smaller space, and does not always imply total destruction.

To crush is to press or squeeze something so hard that its shape or structure breaks down. To grind is to reduce something to small particles or powder by rubbing it between hard surfaces. Crushing breaks things by pressure, grinding wears them down by friction.

'Crush' emphasizes destroying something by squeezing or pressing it hard. 'Smash' emphasizes breaking something by a sudden, violent blow or impact. You crush a can by squeezing it, but you smash a plate by hitting or dropping it.