noun
crackle
KRA-kuhl
Crackle (noun) means a series of small, sharp popping or snapping sounds. Example: “The crackle of the campfire was the only sound in the night.”
noun
1
A series of small, sharp popping or snapping sounds.
"The crackle of the campfire was the only sound in the night."
verb
1
To make a series of small popping or snapping sounds.
"The bacon crackled in the pan."
"Static crackled over the old radio."
2
To be full of tension, energy, or emotion.
"The room crackled with excitement before the announcement."
How to use crackle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA series of small popping sounds, or figuratively, a feeling of tension or energy in the air.
Common pairings
crackle of the fire
crackle with tension
static crackle
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Word forms
- Plural
- crackles
- Third person singular
- crackles
- Past tense
- crackled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the campfire was the only sound in the night.
Etymology
From "crack" plus the frequentative suffix -le, suggesting a repeated series of small cracking sounds.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for crackle
See all rhymes for crackle →Frequently asked questions
What does “crackle” mean?
The word “crackle” means a series of small, sharp popping or snapping sounds. In plain terms, a series of small popping sounds, or figuratively, a feeling of tension or energy in the air.
How do you pronounce “crackle”?
“Crackle” is pronounced KRA-kuhl (/ˈkɹækəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “crackle” in a sentence?
Here is “crackle” used in a sentence: “The crackle of the campfire was the only sound in the night.”
What part of speech is “crackle”?
Depending on how it is used, “crackle” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “crackle” have?
“Crackle” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a series of small, sharp popping or snapping sounds.
