noun
Uncommon
cracker
KRA-kuh
Cracker (noun) means a thin, crisp, usually savory baked snack. Example: “She spread cheese on a cracker for the party tray.”
noun
1
A thin, crisp, usually savory baked snack.
"She spread cheese on a cracker for the party tray."
2
A small paper tube that pops and reveals a toy or prize, traditionally pulled apart at Christmas.
"Everyone pulled a cracker at the Christmas dinner table."
3
A firecracker.
"Kids set off crackers in the yard for the celebration."
4
Informal, often offensive: a poor white person from the southeastern United States, or, more broadly and offensively, any white person.
"The term "cracker" has a complicated and contested history in the American South."
How to use cracker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA crisp baked snack, a Christmas party favor, a firecracker, or (as offensive slang) a term for a white person.
When to use it
The ethnic-slang sense is considered offensive by many and should be used carefully, if at all.
Common pairings
saltine cracker
Christmas cracker
graham cracker
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Word forms
- Plural
- crackers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She spread cheese on a _____ for the party tray.
Etymology
From "crack," referring to the sharp snapping sound — the biscuit sense is first recorded in the 1700s; the ethnic slang sense has several competing theories, including a link to whip-cracking cattle drivers in the South.
Class of 1700
cracker joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cracker
acker
hacker
backer
Packer
slacker
blacker
attacker
hijacker
nutcracker
linebacker
firecracker
safecracker
See all rhymes for cracker →
Frequently asked questions
What does “cracker” mean?
The word “cracker” means a thin, crisp, usually savory baked snack. In plain terms, a crisp baked snack, a Christmas party favor, a firecracker, or (as offensive slang) a term for a white person.
How do you pronounce “cracker”?
“Cracker” is pronounced KRA-kuh (/ˈkɹækə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “cracker” in a sentence?
Here is “cracker” used in a sentence: “She spread cheese on a cracker for the party tray.”
What part of speech is “cracker”?
“Cracker” is a noun.
Where does the word “cracker” come from?
The word “cracker” dates back to around 1700.
Is “cracker” a common word?
“Cracker” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cracker” have?
“Cracker” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin, crisp, usually savory baked snack.
