crack

/kræk/

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The word "crack" has several meanings and uses in English. Let's break it down in a way that's easy to understand.

Definitions and Usage:

1. As a Verb:

   • To break: When something is under pressure and splits, like a glass. For example, "I accidentally dropped the cup, and it cracked."
   • To make a sharp sound: Like snapping fingers or a whip. For example, "He cracked his fingers before starting to play."
   • To tell a joke: As in making someone laugh. For example, "She cracked a joke that made everyone laugh."
   • To gain unauthorized access: In computing, it means breaking into a system. For example, "He cracked the password to get in."

2. As a Noun:

   • A break or fracture: Like a crack in a wall or a mirror. For example, "There was a crack in the window after the storm."
   • A sudden, sharp noise: Like the sound of a whip. For example, "I heard the crack of thunder during the storm."
   • An attempt: A chance to try something. For example, "He took a crack at solving the puzzle."
   • A type of drug: "Crack" can refer to a powerful and addictive form of cocaine. Note: This usage is more serious and should be approached with caution.

3. As an Adjective:

   • Of the highest quality: When someone is 'crack' at something, it means they are very good at it. For example, "She is a crack shot, meaning she is excellent at shooting."

Advanced Usage:

• Crack up: To suddenly laugh a lot. For example, "The movie was so funny that I cracked up."
• Crack the code: To figure out a difficult problem or secret. For example, "The detective cracked the code to the safe."

Word Variants:

• Cracked (adjective): Something that has been broken. For example, "The cracked vase cannot hold water."
• Cracking (adjective): Something excellent or impressive. For example, "He gave a cracking performance in the play."

Synonyms:

• For the verb "to break": split, fracture, snap.
• For the noun "a chance": attempt, shot, try.
• For the adjective "excellent": superb, top-notch, first-rate.

Idioms:

• "Take a crack at something": Means to try doing something. For example, "I’ll take a crack at fixing this bike."
• "Crack someone up": To make someone laugh very hard. For example, "His jokes always crack me up."

Phrasal Verbs:

• Crack down on: To take strong action against something. For example, "The school decided to crack down on cheating."

Summary:

"Crack" is a versatile word in English with meanings related to breaking, trying something, or describing something of high quality.

Academic

Adjective

1. of the highest quality
   • an ace reporter
   • a crack shot
   • a first-rate golfer
   • a super party
   • played top-notch tennis
   • an athlete in tiptop condition
   • she is absolutely tops

Noun

1. the act of cracking something
2. a usually brief attempt
   • he took a crack at it
   • I gave it a whirl
3. a purified and potent form of cocaine that is smoked rather than snorted; highly addictive
4. a blemish resulting from a break without complete separation of the parts
   • there was a crack in the mirror
5. witty remark
6. a chance to do something
   • he wanted a shot at the champion
7. a sudden sharp noise
   • the crack of a whip
   • he heard the cracking of the ice
   • he can hear the snap of a twig
8. a long narrow depression in a surface
9. a narrow opening
   • he opened the window a crack
10. a long narrow opening

Verb

1. break into simpler molecules by means of heat
   • The petroleum cracked
2. reduce (petroleum) to a simpler compound by cracking
3. cause to become cracked
   • heat and light cracked the back of the leather chair
4. tell spontaneously
   • crack a joke
5. suffer a nervous breakdown
6. gain unauthorized access computers with malicious intentions
   • she cracked my password
   • crack a safe
7. break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension
   • The pipe snapped
8. break partially but keep its integrity
   • The glass cracked
9. pass through (a barrier)
   • Registrations cracked through the 30,000 mark in the county
10. hit forcefully; deal a hard blow, making a cracking noise
    • The teacher cracked him across the face with a ruler
11. make a sharp sound
    • his fingers snapped
12. make a very sharp explosive sound
    • His gun cracked
13. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
    • The glass cracked when it was heated

Synonyms

• ace
• A-one
• first-rate
• super
• tiptop
• topnotch
• top-notch
• tops
• fracture
• cracking
• fling
• go
• pass
• whirl
• offer
• crack cocaine
• tornado
• wisecrack
• sally
• quip
• shot
• snap
• crevice
• cranny
• fissure
• chap
• gap
• cleft
• scissure
• crack up
• crock up
• break up
• collapse
• break through