English Dictionary — Definitions & Meanings

creel

noun

A wicker basket, especially one used by anglers to carry fish.

creep

verb

To move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.

creeper

noun

A plant that grows along the ground or up surfaces by trailing or climbing.

creepers

intj

An old-fashioned exclamation of surprise or alarm.

creeping

adj

Happening very gradually, often in a way that is barely noticed until it becomes serious.

creeps

noun

A feeling of fear, unease, or revulsion.

creepy

adj

Causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease.

Creighton

name

A male given name and surname, also the name of towns in Canada, South Africa, and the United States.

cremate

verb

To reduce a dead body to ashes by burning, as an alternative to burial.

cremation

noun

The act of disposing of a dead body by burning.

crematorium

noun

A building where dead bodies are cremated.

Crenshaw

noun

A variety of melon with sweet orange flesh and a smooth, hard rind.

Creole

noun

A language that develops naturally from the mixing of two or more languages, typically becoming the native tongue of a community.

crepe

noun

A thin, light pancake, typically served rolled or folded with a filling.

crescendo

noun

A gradual increase in intensity, loudness, or excitement, often building to a peak.

crescent

noun

The curved shape of the moon when it is partly illuminated, narrowing to points at each end.

crest

noun

The highest point of something, such as a hill or wave.

Cretaceous

name

The geological period from about 146 to 66 million years ago, ending with the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Crete

name

The largest Greek island, located in the eastern Mediterranean.

cretin

noun

An insulting term for a stupid or foolish person.

crevice

noun

A narrow crack or opening, especially in rock or a wall.

crew

noun

A group of people working together, especially those operating a ship, aircraft, or production.

Crewe

name

A town in Cheshire, England, known as a major railway junction.

crewman

noun

A member of a crew, especially on a ship, aircraft, or vehicle.

Crews

name

An English surname.

crib

noun

A baby's bed with high sides, used before a child moves to a regular bed.

Crichton

name

A habitational surname from Scotland, taken from a village in Midlothian.

crick

noun

A sudden, painful stiffness in a muscle, usually in the neck or back, that makes it hard to move for a while.

cricket

noun

A small jumping insect related to grasshoppers, known for the chirping sound the males make by rubbing their wings together.

cricketer

noun

Someone who plays cricket, especially at a serious or professional level.

crickets

intj

Used to point out an awkward silence or lack of response, as if only the sound of insects can be heard.

crier

noun

A person, historically, employed to announce public news or official notices aloud in a town.

crikey

intj

An exclamation of surprise or astonishment.

crime

noun

An act that breaks the law and is punishable by the state.

Crimean

adj

Relating to Crimea, the peninsula on the Black Sea.

crimes

intj

A mild exclamation of surprise, shock, or annoyance.

criminal

adj

Involving or relating to crime, or against the law.

criminality

noun

The quality or state of being criminal, or the general level of criminal activity in a place.

criminally

adv

In a way that breaks the law.

criminology

noun

The academic study of crime, criminals, and why crime happens.

crimp

verb

To press or bend something into small folds or ridges.

crimson

noun

A deep, rich red colour with a hint of blue or purple in it.

cringe

verb

To flinch or shrink back in embarrassment, disgust, or fear.

cripes

intj

A mild exclamation of surprise or shock.

cripple

noun

An outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability.

crippled

adj

Badly damaged, weakened, or unable to function normally.

crippling

adj

Causing severe damage, weakness, or hardship.

Cris

name

A village and a river in Mureș County, Romania.

crisis

noun

A time of intense difficulty, danger, or instability that demands urgent action.

crisp

adj

Firm and easily broken, in a satisfying way (used for food, fabric, or air).

Crispin

name

A male given name, from Latin, also the name of the patron saint of shoemakers.

crispy

adj

Firm and brittle in a pleasing way, especially when describing cooked food.

crisscross

verb

To cross something repeatedly in different directions.

cristal

adj

An uncommon word relating to a crest (mainly seen as a proper name or brand name today).

Cristian

name

A male given name derived from the Greek word for "follower of Christ."

Cristina

name

A female given name, the Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish form of "Christina."

Cristo

name

A surname found in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, meaning "Christ."

Cristobal

name

A male given name, the anglicized form of the Spanish name Cristobal (equivalent to "Christopher").

crit

noun

Informal short form of "criticism" or "critique," especially in creative or academic settings.

criteria

noun

The plural of "criterion" — standards or requirements used to judge something.

criterion

noun

A single standard or rule used to judge or decide something.

critic

noun

A person who evaluates and comments on the quality of something, such as art, film, or books.

critical

adj

Extremely important, often because a lot depends on it.

critically

adv

In a way that involves careful judgment or analysis.

criticism

noun

A statement or judgment pointing out faults or problems.

criticize

verb

To point out faults or problems in something or someone.

critique

noun

A detailed, thoughtful assessment of something, pointing out both strengths and weaknesses.

critter

noun

An informal word for a living creature, especially an animal.

croak

noun

A low, rough sound made in the throat, especially the call of a frog.

croaking

noun

The rough, repeated sound made by frogs or a hoarse voice.

Croatia

name

A country in southeastern Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, with its capital at Zagreb; formerly part of Yugoslavia until 1991.

Croatian

adj

Relating to Croatia, its people, or its language.

Croatoan

noun

An older spelling referring to a member of the Croatan people, a Native American group of the eastern coast of North America.

croc

noun

A shortened, informal word for a crocodile.

crochet

noun

A craft in which yarn or thread is looped together using a single hooked needle to form fabric.

crock

noun

A container made of stoneware or earthenware, such as a jar or pot.

crocker

noun

An old word for a potter, someone who makes earthenware.

crockery

noun

Plates, dishes, cups, and similar tableware, usually made of ceramic material.

Crockett

name

A surname and male given name, most famously associated with American frontiersman Davy Crockett.

crocodile

noun

A large predatory reptile with a long snout and powerful jaws that lives in rivers and lakes in warm climates.

croft

noun

A small enclosed field or piece of farmland, especially one rented out for small-scale farming, particularly in Scotland.

croissant

noun

A flaky, buttery pastry shaped like a crescent, typically eaten for breakfast.

Cromwell

name

An English habitational surname, most famously that of Oliver Cromwell, the English military and political leader who ruled as Lord Protector.

crone

noun

An old woman, especially one seen as withered, unpleasant, or witch-like.

Cronkite

name

A surname, most notably that of Walter Cronkite, an American broadcast journalist.

crook

noun

A dishonest person, especially a criminal or swindler.

crooked

adj

Bent or twisted rather than straight.

Crooks

noun

Plural of crook: dishonest people, especially criminals.

croon

verb

To sing or hum softly and gently, typically in a low, sentimental voice.

crooner

noun

A singer, typically male, known for singing popular songs in a smooth, low voice.

crop

noun

A plant grown and harvested for food, feed, or other economic use.

cropped

adj

Cut short, or trimmed so the outer edges are removed.

croquet

noun

A lawn game in which players use mallets to hit balls through a series of hoops.

crore

noun

In South Asian numbering, a unit equal to ten million (10,000,000).

Crosby

name

A surname of Old Norse origin, and a male given name, also the name of numerous towns in England and North America.

cross

noun

A shape formed by two intersecting lines, or an upright post with a crossbar, especially as a religious symbol.

crossbow

noun

A weapon that shoots short arrows called bolts, made from a bow mounted crosswise on a stock.

crossed

adj

Having lines or elements that intersect; marked with a crossing line.

crossfire

noun

Gunfire coming from two or more directions, especially endangering anyone caught between the shooters.

crossfit

noun

A high-intensity fitness program combining weightlifting, cardio, and gymnastics-style movements, and the brand associated with it.

crossing

noun

A place where a road, river, or railway can be crossed.

crossover

noun

A blend of two different styles, genres, or fields, especially in music or entertainment.

crossrail

noun

A commuter railway that runs through the center of a city in a tunnel and continues into the surrounding suburbs.

crossroad

noun

A road that crosses another, or (usually plural) a place where roads intersect.

crossroads

noun

A place where two or more roads meet.

crosswalk

noun

American English: a marked path across a street where pedestrians are meant to cross.

crossword

noun

A word puzzle in which answers are filled into a grid of squares based on numbered clues, reading across and down.

crotch

noun

The area of the body where the legs meet the torso, around the genitals.

crouch

verb

To bend the knees and lower the body close to the ground, often to hide, prepare to spring, or avoid being seen.

crouched

adj

In a crouching position; bent low with the knees drawn up.

crouching

adj

Bending low with the knees drawn up, typically to hide or prepare to move quickly.

croup

noun

A childhood respiratory illness that causes a harsh, barking cough and breathing difficulty.

croupier

noun

The casino employee who runs a gambling table, dealing cards, spinning the wheel, and paying out winnings.

crow

noun

A large black bird with a harsh, cawing call.

crowbar

noun

A steel bar, usually with a curved, flattened end, used as a lever to pry things apart or force them open.

crowd

noun

A large number of people gathered closely together.

crowded

adj

Filled with a large number of people or things, often uncomfortably so.

crowder

noun

Someone who plays the crwth, an old Welsh bowed string instrument; more loosely, a fiddler.

crowding

noun

The act or state of pressing closely together in a limited space.

Crowe

name

An English surname.

crowing

noun

A triumphant cry of joy or satisfaction, or the loud call of a rooster.

crown

noun

An ornamental headpiece worn by a monarch as a symbol of royal power.

crowned

adj

Wearing a crown, or having been formally made a monarch.

crowning

adj

Representing the highest point or greatest achievement of something.

Croydon

name

A large town and borough in south London, England.

Crozier

name

A surname, originally an occupational name for someone who carried a bishop's staff.

cru

noun

A vineyard, or group of vineyards, especially one recognised for producing high-quality wine.

crucial

adj

Extremely important; essential to the outcome of something.

crucially

adv

In a way that is essential to the outcome; most importantly.

crucible

noun

A heat-resistant container used to melt metals or heat chemicals at very high temperatures.

crucified

adj

Put to death by being nailed or bound to a cross.

crucifix

noun

A cross bearing a figure of Christ, often worn as jewellery or displayed as a religious symbol.

crucifixion

noun

Execution by being fastened to a cross and left to die.

crucify

verb

To execute someone by nailing or binding them to a cross.

crud

noun

Dirt, grime, or unpleasant residue.

crude

adj

In a raw, natural, or unrefined state.

crudely

adv

In a rough, unrefined, or tactless manner.

cruel

adj

Deliberately causing pain or suffering to others, without mercy.

Cruella

noun

A cruel, vain, or heartless woman, especially one who is theatrically villainous.

cruelly

adv

In a way that causes deliberate pain or suffering; mercilessly.

cruelty

noun

The quality of deliberately causing pain or suffering, without pity.

Cruickshank

name

A Scottish surname originating as a nickname.

cruise

noun

A leisure voyage by ship, often stopping at several ports.

cruiser

noun

A fast, medium-sized warship built for long-range operations.

cruising

noun

Sailing or travelling for pleasure without a fixed destination.

crumb

noun

A tiny fragment of bread, cake, or similar food.

crumble

verb

To break apart into small pieces or fall to ruin.

crumbling

adjective

Falling apart into small pieces or fragments.

crumbs

interjection

A mild British exclamation of surprise, similar to "goodness" or "gosh".

crummy

adjective

Of poor quality; disappointing or unpleasant.