noun

crumpet

KRUHM-piht

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Crumpet (noun) means a soft, round, griddle-cooked cake with small holes in the top, usually toasted and buttered. Example: “She spread butter over a warm crumpet and poured the tea.”

noun

A soft, round, griddle-cooked cake with small holes in the top, usually toasted and buttered.

"She spread butter over a warm crumpet and poured the tea."

"Crumpets are a classic British teatime treat."

British slang for an attractive person, or people collectively (usually referring to women); considered dated and somewhat crude.

"The old film used "crumpet" in a way that sounds quite sexist today."

How to use crumpet

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMainly the toasted teatime cake with holes in it; the slang sense for a person is old-fashioned and best avoided.

When to use it

The slang meaning is dated and can sound objectifying — stick to the food sense in modern use.

UK vs US

Crumpets are a British staple, rarely found under that name in the US (English muffins are the closer American equivalent).

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: crumpets

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She spread butter over a warm _____ and poured the tea.

Etymology

The cake sense goes back centuries, possibly from a Welsh or Breton word for a folded pancake. The slang sense for an attractive person appeared in the 1930s, possibly linked to rhyming slang for "strumpet".

Origin: Welsh · First attested 1930

Class of 1930 crumpet joined the language around 1930.

biro blowjob dink doodle dreamboat

See the full Class of 1930 →

Rhymes for crumpet

trumpet strumpet

See all rhymes for crumpet →

Frequently asked questions

What does “crumpet” mean?

The word “crumpet” means a soft, round, griddle-cooked cake with small holes in the top, usually toasted and buttered. In plain terms, mainly the toasted teatime cake with holes in it; the slang sense for a person is old-fashioned and best avoided.

How do you pronounce “crumpet”?

“Crumpet” is pronounced KRUHM-piht (/ˈkɹʌmpɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “crumpet” in a sentence?

Here is “crumpet” used in a sentence: “She spread butter over a warm crumpet and poured the tea.”

What part of speech is “crumpet”?

“Crumpet” is a noun.

Where does the word “crumpet” come from?

The word “crumpet” dates back to around 1930 and comes from Welsh. The cake sense goes back centuries, possibly from a Welsh or Breton word for a folded pancake. The slang sense for an attractive person appeared in the 1930s, possibly linked to rhyming slang for "strumpet".

How many meanings does “crumpet” have?

“Crumpet” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, round, griddle-cooked cake with small holes in the top, usually toasted and buttered.

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