crush
kruhsh
Crush (verb) means to squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed. Example: “Be careful not to crush the biscuits at the bottom of your bag.”
verb
1
To squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed.
"Be careful not to crush the biscuits at the bottom of your bag."
"The falling branch crushed the garden fence."
"She crushed the garlic clove with the flat of the knife."
2
To defeat someone or something completely and forcefully.
"Our chess club crushed the visiting team in every single match."
"The company's new phone crushed all its competitors in the sales charts."
"The home team crushed their rivals 6-0."
noun
1
A strong but usually short-lived romantic infatuation, or the person it is directed at.
"Everyone could tell she had a crush on the new teacher."
"His first crush was a girl who sat next to him in maths."
"He's had a crush on his neighbour since they met last summer."
2
A dense, uncomfortable crowd of people.
"We got stuck in the crush of commuters at the station barrier."
"It was hard to breathe in the crush at the front of the stage."
"There was a real crush by the exits when the concert ended."
How to use crush
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPhysically squashing something, decisively beating an opponent, or having strong romantic feelings for someone.
Common mistake
A "crush" (infatuation) is not the same as being in love — it usually implies a lighter, often short-term or one-sided attraction.
Common pairings
have a crush on
crush the competition
crush of people
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Word forms
- Plural
- crushes
- Third person singular
- crushes
- Past tense
- crushed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful not to _____ the biscuits at the bottom of your bag.
Etymology
From Old French croissir ("to crush, smash"), tracing back through Latin and Germanic roots meaning to grind or strike violently.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for crush
See all rhymes for crush →Frequently asked questions
What does “crush” mean?
The word “crush” means to squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed. In plain terms, physically squashing something, decisively beating an opponent, or having strong romantic feelings for someone.
How do you pronounce “crush”?
“Crush” is pronounced kruhsh (/kɹʌʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “crush” in a sentence?
Here is “crush” used in a sentence: “The falling branch crushed the garden fence.”
What is another word for “crush”?
Words with a similar meaning to “crush” include pulverise, slay at, kill and ace.
What part of speech is “crush”?
Depending on how it is used, “crush” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “crush” come from?
The word “crush” comes from Latin. From Old French croissir ("to crush, smash"), tracing back through Latin and Germanic roots meaning to grind or strike violently.
Is “crush” a common word?
“Crush” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “crush” have?
“Crush” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to squeeze or press something so hard that its shape or structure is destroyed.
What is the difference between 'crush' and 'squash'?
Both mean to press something out of shape. 'Crush' suggests pressing so hard that the object's structure is destroyed, often with force. 'Squash' can be gentler, meaning to press something flat or into a smaller space, and does not always imply total destruction.
What is the difference between 'crush' and 'grind'?
To crush is to press or squeeze something so hard that its shape or structure breaks down. To grind is to reduce something to small particles or powder by rubbing it between hard surfaces. Crushing breaks things by pressure, grinding wears them down by friction.
What is the difference between 'crush' and 'smash'?
'Crush' emphasizes destroying something by squeezing or pressing it hard. 'Smash' emphasizes breaking something by a sudden, violent blow or impact. You crush a can by squeezing it, but you smash a plate by hitting or dropping it.
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