noun
cramp
kramp
noun
1
A sudden, painful, involuntary tightening of a muscle.
"She got a cramp in her calf halfway through the run."
"Drinking enough water can help prevent muscle cramps."
verb
1
To restrict or hold back something, such as movement, growth, or freedom.
"The tiny office space cramped their ability to expand the business."
How to Use Cramp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA painful muscle spasm, or (as a verb) to restrict or hold something back.
Common pairings
leg cramp
stomach cramp
cramp someone's style
Word Forms
more cramp comparative, cramped past tense, cramps plural, Cramps plural, cramps singular, most cramp superlative
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She got a _____ in her calf halfway through the run.
Etymology
From Old French crampe, ultimately from a Frankish/Germanic word meaning "cramp" or "clasp" — distantly related to "crop".