crescent
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for crescent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The curved shape of the moon when it is partly illuminated, narrowing to points at each end.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
sickle shape
half-moon shape
Antonyms
How to use crescent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
crescent moon
crescent-shaped
Etymology
From Old French creissant, "growing", from Latin crescens, present participle of crescere, "to grow" — a doublet of "croissant". The shape refers to the moon in its waxing phase.
Full origin of crescent →Frequently asked questions
What does “crescent” mean?
The word “crescent” means the curved shape of the moon when it is partly illuminated, narrowing to points at each end. In plain terms, the curved sliver shape of a young moon, or anything shaped like it.
How do you pronounce “crescent”?
“Crescent” is pronounced KREHZ-uhnt (/ˈkɹɛs.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “crescent” in a sentence?
Here is “crescent” used in a sentence: “A thin crescent moon hung over the harbour.”
What is the opposite of “crescent”?
The opposite of “crescent” — its antonyms — is gibbous.
What part of speech is “crescent”?
“Crescent” is a noun.
Where does the word “crescent” come from?
The word “crescent” comes from Latin. From Old French creissant, "growing", from Latin crescens, present participle of crescere, "to grow" — a doublet of "croissant". The shape refers to the moon in its waxing phase.
Is “crescent” a common word?
“Crescent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crescent” have?
“Crescent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the curved shape of the moon when it is partly illuminated, narrowing to points at each end.
What is the difference between a crescent moon and a half moon?
A crescent moon is a thin, curved sliver of the moon narrowing to points at each end, while a half moon shows exactly half the moon's face illuminated in a straight-edged semicircle. Crescent phases occur both before and after the half moon, closer to new moon.
Why are street names sometimes called crescents?
A crescent as a street name refers to a road that curves, often in the shape of the crescent moon, typically lined with houses along its arc. This use extends the geometric meaning of crescent as anything with a curved, moon-like shape.
Is a croissant called a crescent because of its shape?
Yes, a croissant is often described as crescent-shaped because its curved pastry form narrows to points at each end, similar to the crescent moon. The word crescent itself can refer generally to any object with this distinctive curved shape.
