noun
Uncommon
cramp
kramp
Cramp (noun) means a sudden, painful, involuntary tightening of a muscle. Example: “She got a cramp in her calf halfway through the run.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- cramps
- Third person singular
- cramps
- Past tense
- cramped
- Comparative
- more cramp
- Superlative
- most cramp
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cramp
See all rhymes for cramp →Frequently asked questions
What does “cramp” mean?
The word “cramp” means a sudden, painful, involuntary tightening of a muscle. In plain terms, a painful muscle spasm, or (as a verb) to restrict or hold something back.
How do you pronounce “cramp”?
“Cramp” is pronounced kramp (/kɹæmp/ in IPA).
How do you use “cramp” in a sentence?
Here is “cramp” used in a sentence: “She got a cramp in her calf halfway through the run.”
What part of speech is “cramp”?
Depending on how it is used, “cramp” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cramp” come from?
The word “cramp” comes from Old French. From Old French crampe, ultimately from a Frankish/Germanic word meaning "cramp" or "clasp" — distantly related to "crop".
Is “cramp” a common word?
“Cramp” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cramp” have?
“Cramp” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, painful, involuntary tightening of a muscle.
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