cracking
Cracking (noun) means the industrial process of breaking down large molecules, such as crude oil, using heat, to produce fuels like gasoline. Example: “The refinery uses cracking to turn crude oil into usable fuel.”
How to Use Cracking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe industrial fuel-refining process, or, in British slang, "excellent" or "very."
The "excellent" sense is chiefly British and rarely used this way in American English.
Word Forms
crackings plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The refinery uses _____ to turn crude oil into usable fuel.
Related Words
Rhymes for cracking
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cracking” mean?
The word “cracking” means the industrial process of breaking down large molecules, such as crude oil, using heat, to produce fuels like gasoline. In plain terms, the industrial fuel-refining process, or, in British slang, "excellent" or "very.".
How do you pronounce “cracking”?
“Cracking” is pronounced KRA-kihng (/ˈkɹækɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cracking” in a sentence?
Here is “cracking” used in a sentence: “The refinery uses cracking to turn crude oil into usable fuel.”
What part of speech is “cracking”?
Depending on how it is used, “cracking” can be a noun, an adjective and an adverb.
Is “cracking” a common word?
“Cracking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cracking” have?
“Cracking” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the industrial process of breaking down large molecules, such as crude oil, using heat, to produce fuels like gasoline.
What is the difference between 'cracking' and 'smashing'?
Both are British informal words of praise meaning excellent or great, and they are largely interchangeable. Cracking can additionally intensify another adjective, as in 'a cracking good time.'
Is 'cracking' used to mean 'great' in American English?
The 'excellent' and 'very' senses of cracking are chiefly British and are far less common in American English. American speakers are more likely to use words like 'great' or 'terrific.'