crackle

1 of 2

verb

crack·​le ˈkra-kəl How to pronounce crackle (audio)
crackled; crackling ˈkra-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce crackle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
the fire crackles on the hearth
b
: to show animation : sparkle
the essays crackle with wit
2

transitive verb

: to crush or crack with snapping noises
cracklingly adverb

crackle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the noise of repeated small cracks or reports
2
: a network of fine cracks on an otherwise smooth surface

Examples of crackle in a Sentence

Verb The logs crackled in the fire. The leaves crackled under our feet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But then the kid ripped a forehand that comes out of him and off his racket at a shout, followed it with a crackling backhand. Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 6 July 2024 By day here, there’s places to be and wildlife to see, but at night the camp crackles with campfire and conversation as guests and guides clink glasses and swap stories. Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2024
Noun
The In Deep Music Archive is a labor of love that pays homage to the warm crackle and allure of vinyl—and of listening to a record from start to finish. April Clare Welsh, SPIN, 3 July 2024 Back off the throttle and the exhausts burble impatiently, but there are no showboating crackles or bangs, which can be either a positive or negative depending on your preference. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for crackle 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crackle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of crack entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of crackle was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near crackle

Cite this Entry

“Crackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackle. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

crackle

verb
crack·​le
ˈkrak-əl
crackled; crackling
-(ə-)liŋ
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
crackle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crackle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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