Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂-
Proto-Indo-European *gerg-der.
Proto-West Germanic *krakōn
Old English cracian
Middle English crakken
English crack
From Middle English crakken, craken, from Old English cracian (“to resound, crack”), from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn (“to crack, crackle, shriek”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- (“to resound, cry hoarsely”).
Cognate with Scots crak (“to crack”), West Frisian kreakje (“to crack”), Dutch kraken (“to crunch, creak, squeak”), Low German kraken (“to crack”), German krachen (“to crash, crack, creak”), Lithuanian gi̇̀rgžděti (“to creak, squeak”), Old Armenian կարկաչ (karkačʻ), Sanskrit गर्जति (gárjati, “to roar, hum”).
Compare typologically English crevice (<< Latin crepō), Bulgarian пукнатина (puknatina) (akin to пу́кам (púkam)), Russian тре́щина (tréščina) (akin to треск (tresk)), щель (ščelʹ) (akin to щёлкать (ščólkatʹ)).
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) A thin and usually jagged space opened in a previously solid material.
A large crack had formed in the roadway.
(countable, uncountable) A narrow opening.
Open the door a crack.
Dimitar Berbatov found the first cracks in the home side's resilience when he pulled one back from close range and Hernandez himself drew the visitors level with a composed finish three minutes later as Bloomfield Road's earlier jubilation turned to despair. 2011 January 25, Phil McNulty, “Blackpool 2 - 3 Man Utd”, in BBC:
We managed to squeeze through a crack in the rock wall.
(countable, figuratively, slang, uncountable) A sharply humorous comment; a wisecrack.
I didn't appreciate that crack about my hairstyle.
(countable, figuratively, slang, uncommon, uncountable) A flaw, weakness, setback, or insecurity.
It’s a fact all those cracks they can hold you back / But there’s a better way (there’s a better way) / Just keep on pushing, keep on pushing, keep on pushing / For a brighter day 1978, Shalamar, “Leave It All Up to Love”, in Disco Gardens:
(countable, slang, uncountable) Crack cocaine, a potent, relatively cheap, addictive variety of cocaine; often a rock, usually smoked through a crack pipe.
crack head
And even as a crack fiend, Mama / You always was a black queen, Mama 1995, “Dear Mama”, in Me Against the World, performed by 2Pac:
There were times when she could tell the Washingtons were overwhelmed by Jahlil's difficult ways, and one time Jessie even had the nerve to ask Carmiesha if she had smoked anything like crack or ice while she was pregnant with him. 2006, Noire [pseudonym], Thug-A-Licious: An Urban Erotic Tale, New York, N.Y.: One World, Ballantine Books, →ISBN, page 122:
(broadly, countable, figuratively, humorous, slang, uncountable) Something pleasurable (good-tasting or appealing) and habit-forming.
kitty crack
Her love was crack to me, and I was hooked real bad.
When did naming foods after a powerful narcotic become a thing?[…]Now the mean streets of New York are rife with “salted crack caramel” ice cream, “pistachio crack” brittle, “crack steak” sandwiches, and “tuna on crack.” [2012 March 23, Rob Patronite, Robin Raisfeld, “Your Brain on Food”, in New York Magazine:
(countable, onomatopoeic, uncountable) The sharp sound made when solid material breaks.
The crack of the falling branch could be heard for miles.
(countable, onomatopoeic, uncountable) Any sharp sound.
She broke to love in the opening game, only for Bartoli to hit straight back in game two, which was interrupted by a huge crack of thunder that made Lisicki jump and prompted nervous laughter from the 15,000 spectators. 2011 June 28, Piers Newbery, “Wimbledon 2011: Sabine Lisicki beats Marion Bartoli”, in BBC Sport:
The crack of the bat hitting the ball.
(countable, uncountable) A sharp, resounding blow.
Mrs. Perkins, who has not been for some weeks on speaking terms with Mrs. Piper in consequence for an unpleasantness originating in young Perkins' having "fetched" young Piper "a crack," renews her friendly intercourse on this auspicious occasion. 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 11, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC:
(countable, slang, uncountable) An attempt at something.
I'd like to take a crack at that game.
(countable, slang, uncountable, vulgar) The vagina.
I rattled off more silly nonsense, all the while clutching her firmly, pushing my fingers into her gluey crack. 1956, Henry Miller, Quiet Days in Clichy, Grove Press, published 1987, →ISBN, page 143:
(countable, slang, uncountable, vulgar) The space between the buttocks.
Pull up your pants! Your crack is showing.
(Ireland, Northern-England, Scotland, countable, uncountable) Conviviality; fun; good conversation, chat, gossip, or humorous storytelling; good company.
But first I maun hae a crack wi' an auld acquaintance here.—Mr. Owen, Mr. Owen, how's a' wi' ye, man? 1817, Walter Scott, chapter 5, in Rob Roy, volume 2, Edinburgh: James Ballantyne and Company, published 1818, page 193:
Being a native of Northumberland, she was enjoying their banter and Geordie good humour. This was what she needed — good company and good crack. 2001, William F. Gray, The Villain, iUniverse, page 214:
"his a bit o' good crack — interesting to talk to" 2004, Bill Griffiths, Dictionary of North East Dialect, Northumbria University Press (quoting Dunn, 1950)
He's good crack. [It's nice having him around]
By the time we've got a good drunk on us there'll be more crack in this valley than the night I pissed on the electric fence! 2006, Patrick McCabe, Winterwood, Bloomsbury, published 2007, page 10:
He seed 'em bawth as he coom'd frae t' Nab, / Nobbut aaf an hooer agone: / An' he stopp'd, did Jan, for a bit of a crack, / For t' gells was lahk aloan. 1865, Arthur Munby, “T' Moossel Getherers”, in Verses New and Old, London: Bell and Daldy, page 54:
The party was great crack.
(Cumbria, Northern-UK, countable, uncountable) A chat.
And when he come down in the evenings, he’d drop in every night to have a crack wi’ Old Bob. 1936, Arthur Ransome, chapter 3, in Pigeon Post:
But, aw see yo known him weel enough; an' so aw'll tell yo a bit of a crack abeawt him an' Owd Neddy. 1869, Edwin Waugh, “Ramble from Bury to Rochdale”, in Lancashire Sketches, 3rd edition, London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.:
What's the crack?
What's this crack about a possible merger?
(countable, uncountable) A program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions or usage limits on software.
Has anyone got a crack for DocumentWriter 3.0?
(US, countable, dated, uncountable) An expanding circle of white water surrounding the site of a large explosion at shallow depth, marking the progress of the shock wave through the air above the water.
(Internet, countable, uncountable) Extremely silly, absurd or off-the-wall ideas or prose.
(countable, uncountable) The tone of voice when changed at puberty.
And let vs (Polidore) though now our voyces / Haue got the manniſh cracke, ſing him to'th'ground 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 389, column 2:
(archaic, countable, uncountable) A mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity.
He has a crack.
(archaic, countable, uncountable) A crazy or crack-brained person.
On the London Cries […] I have lately received a letter from some very odd fellow upon this subject […] ‘Sir, […], but I cannot get the parliament to listen to me ; who look upon me, forsooth, as a crack and a projector […] I am, SIR, &c. / RALPH CROTCHET’ 1711 December 28 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “MONDAY, December 18, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 251; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume III, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, pages 251-256:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A boast; boasting.
D'ye hear wha's coming to cow yere cracks? 1814, Walter Scott, chapter 30, in Waverley, volume 1, Boston: Samuel H. Parker, published 1828, page 224:
Slaunderous reproches,and fowle infamies, / Leaſings,backbytings,and vaineglorious crakes 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 10, page 350:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) Breach of chastity.
But thinke her bond of Chaſtity quite crack'd, I hauing 'tane the forfeyt. 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 396:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A boy, generally a pert, lively boy.
Indeed la, tis a noble childe. / - A Cracke Madam. c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii], page 4, column 2:
The ſame Sir Iohn, the very ſame: I ſaw him breake Scogaan's Head at the Court-Gate, when hee was a Crack, not thus high: […] c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 86, column 2:
(UK, countable, dated, slang, uncountable) A brief time; an instant; a jiffy.
I'll be with you in a crack.
(countable, dated, qualifier:African-American Vernacular, uncountable) The act of hitting on someone.
The eyes of my sisters who fear my crack^*
[footnote] Before the popularization of the term "crack" as a drug, its common usage in the Black community referred to men publicly cruising and approaching women. 1987 February 1, Joseph Beam, “Creating Myself from Scratch: Living as a Black Gay Man in the 1980s”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 28, page 5:
ja 裂け目 (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cmn 搞笑 (extremely silly ideas or prose) · cs fórek (sharply humorous comment) · el ρωγμή (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pt rego (vulgar: space between buttocks) · ba ярыҡ (narrow opening) · ru расще́лина (narrow opening) · de Crack (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · de Ritze (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · grc ῥωχμός (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · bg цепнатина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sh пукотина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pt rego (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pl szparka (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · it spiritosaggine (sharply humorous comment) · pt fenda (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sk štrbina (narrow opening) · yi שפּאַלט (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cs štěrbina (narrow opening) · pt fresta (narrow opening) · is rifa (narrow opening) · fi halkeama (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · el ευθυμία (conviviality, good discussion) · cmn 惡搞 /恶搞 (extremely silly ideas or prose) · ckb قرتە (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi äänenmurros (tone of voice when changed at puberty) · bg пукване (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · es rendija (narrow opening) · fr craquement (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · gsw Chlack (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · gl fendello (vulgar: space between buttocks) · fr discussion (meaningful chat) · de Spalte (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · ga scáineadh (narrow opening) · es raya (vulgar: space between buttocks) · is rassaskora (vulgar: space between buttocks) · it crepito (any sharp sound) · it fessura (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · es gallo (tone of voice when changed at puberty) · pt rachadura (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ota آرالق (narrow opening) · de Knacks (mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity) · ja 亀裂 (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru щёлка (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · pt crack (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · cs prasklina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ta ஓட்டை (narrow opening) · ru рассе́лина (narrow opening) · it crepa (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fr plaisanterie (sharply humorous comment) · mk процеп (narrow opening) · sk trhlina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pt fenda (narrow opening) · pt craque (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · fa ترک (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · gl rachón (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ka ბზარი (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fr fissure (narrow opening) · ko 틈 (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi hulluttelu (extremely silly ideas or prose) · as ফাট (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi pamaus (any sharp sound) · ro fisură (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · de Sprung (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi rako (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · ro crăpătură (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · bn ফাটল (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cmn 破解 (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · gl fenda (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · es chasquido (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi murjaisu (sharply humorous comment) · bg саркастична забележка (sharply humorous comment) · de Ritze (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · pl trzask (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi turina (conviviality, good discussion) · el ρήγμα (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sv springa (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · fi rusahdus (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · uk трі́щина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · be трэ́шчына (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · it intercapedine (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ja ひび (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · nl spleet (narrow opening) · fi rako (vulgar: space between buttocks) · lv plaisa (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ota آرالق (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ca escletxa (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · tr çatal (vulgar: space between buttocks) · fi kuulumiset (business, events, news) · nl gekraak (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · gl laña (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · de Knacks (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · gl fenda (narrow opening) · el κρότος (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · eo krako (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi persvako (vulgar: space between buttocks) · ltg spruogste (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sk prasknutie (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · es chiste (sharply humorous comment) · it picchiettio (any sharp sound) · it appunto (sharply humorous comment) · mk цеп (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · izh rako (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · de Knall (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · ro crăpătură (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · izh rako (narrow opening) · fi rasahdus (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · ru тре́щина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · nl reet (vulgar: space between buttocks) · gl regaña (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · be раско́ліна (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pdt Krach (any sharp sound) · cs vtip (sharply humorous comment) · fr vanne (sharply humorous comment) · sw ufa (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pt racha (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · nl spleet (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · cmn 裂紋 /裂纹 (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · is glufa (narrow opening) · es broma (sharply humorous comment) · el ράγισμα (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sv spricka (narrow opening) · cs trhlina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · gl raigada (vulgar: space between buttocks) · ja クラック (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · es gallipavo (tone of voice when changed at puberty) · it fessura (narrow opening) · sv springa (narrow opening) · hu repedés (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sk škára (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi jutustelu (conviviality, good discussion) · ta பிளவு (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · de Riss (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · bg процеп (narrow opening) · fi kahjo (crazy or crack-brained person) · uz yoriq (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ms retakan (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · it schiocco (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · it scrocchio (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · it stecca (any sharp sound) · az çatlaq (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cs škvíra (narrow opening) · ota چاك (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ro crăpătură (narrow opening) · fr instant (brief time, instant) · cmn 沙雕 (extremely silly ideas or prose) · bg трясък (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi keskustelu (meaningful chat) · de Krachen (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi rehentely (boast, boasting) · pt cofrinho (vulgar: space between buttocks) · es estallido (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · eo krako (any sharp sound) · ru кряк (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · it scricchiolio (any sharp sound) · la rīma (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pdt Krach (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · es raja (vulgar: space between buttocks) · hy ճաք (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ta விரிசல் (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · da sprække (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru щель (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · ba ярыҡ (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · as ফাঁক (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sh pukotina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cs mezírka (narrow opening) · fr fêlé (crazy or crack-brained person) · fr crack (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · fi räsähdys (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · it apprezzamento (sharply humorous comment) · it fessa (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · mk пукање (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · cs křupnutí (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · mk досетка (sharply humorous comment) · is sprunga (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · es grieta (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi hetki (brief time, instant) · fr affaire (business, events, news) · ltg škāla (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ltg pleisums (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sk prasklina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pdt Retz (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · es quebramiento de voz (tone of voice when changed at puberty) · fr ambiance (conviviality, good discussion) · mk пукнатина (narrow opening) · enm chyne (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · sk uštipačná poznámka f komentár (sharply humorous comment) · cs puklina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · pt crec (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · et pragu (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · pt craque (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi rako (narrow opening) · sv spricka (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · izh lovi (narrow opening) · fi läppä (sharply humorous comment) · cs vtípek (sharply humorous comment) · it strepitio (any sharp sound) · cmn 裂縫 /裂缝 (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru остро́та (sharply humorous comment) · pl pęknięcie (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru треск (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · ru треск (any sharp sound) · es raja (vulgar: vagina (only terms derived from "crack" and its equivalents)) · nl breuk (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ki mwatũka (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ca badall (narrow opening) · bg пукнатина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru щель (narrow opening) · pl trzask (any sharp sound) · es quebradura vocal (tone of voice when changed at puberty) · is skora (vulgar: space between buttocks) · gl laño (narrow opening) · izh lovi (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · cs rupnutí (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · ckb درز (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ru крэк (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · nl barst (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · izh lonka (narrow opening) · ta பிளவு (narrow opening) · fi herja (sharply humorous comment) · fi viikari (pert, lively boy) · is brestur (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · gl fenda (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fr timbré (crazy or crack-brained person) · fr craquement (any sharp sound) · gl estalo (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi kräkki (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · ko 크랙 (program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions on software) · ar صَدْع (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi kaheli (crazy or crack-brained person) · de Spalt (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi vilaus (brief time, instant) · ga pléasc (any sharp sound) · ca esquerda (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fi pamahdus (any sharp sound) · el χαραμάδα (narrow opening) · pt estalo (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · fi halkeama (narrow opening) · cs prasknutí (sharp sound made when solid material breaks) · el τριγμός (any sharp sound) · ga scáineadh (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fr raie (vulgar: space between buttocks) · fi lohkaisu (sharply humorous comment) · sk puklina (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · grc χηραμός (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · fr fissure (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · mk пукнатина (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · mk цеп (thin space opened in a previously solid material) · ota چاك (narrow opening) · it spiraglio (narrow opening)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂-
Proto-Indo-European *gerg-der.
Proto-West Germanic *krakōn
Old English cracian
Middle English crakken
English crack
From Middle English crakken, craken, from Old English cracian (“to resound, crack”), from Proto-West Germanic *krakōn (“to crack, crackle, shriek”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gerh₂- (“to resound, cry hoarsely”).
Cognate with Scots crak (“to crack”), West Frisian kreakje (“to crack”), Dutch kraken (“to crunch, creak, squeak”), Low German kraken (“to crack”), German krachen (“to crash, crack, creak”), Lithuanian gi̇̀rgžděti (“to creak, squeak”), Old Armenian կարկաչ (karkačʻ), Sanskrit गर्जति (gárjati, “to roar, hum”).
Compare typologically English crevice (<< Latin crepō), Bulgarian пукнатина (puknatina) (akin to пу́кам (púkam)), Russian тре́щина (tréščina) (akin to треск (tresk)), щель (ščelʹ) (akin to щёлкать (ščólkatʹ)).
Meanings
(intransitive) To form cracks.
It's been so dry, the ground is starting to crack.
(intransitive) To break apart under force, stress, or pressure.
When I tried to stand on the chair, it cracked.
(intransitive) To become debilitated by psychological pressure.
Anyone would crack after being hounded like that.
(intransitive) To break down or yield, especially under interrogation or torture.
When we showed him the pictures of the murder scene, he cracked.
(intransitive) To make a cracking sound.
The bat cracked with authority and the ball went for six.
(intransitive, of a voice) To change rapidly in register.
His voice cracked with emotion.
(intransitive, of a person's voice during puberty) To alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering.
His voice finally cracked when he was fourteen.
(intransitive) To make a sharply humorous comment.
"I would too, with a face like that," she cracked.
(intransitive, qualifier:transgender slang) To realize that one is transgender.
She cracked at age 22 and came out to her friends and family over the next few months.
(transitive) To make a crack or cracks in.
The ball cracked the window.
(transitive) To break open or crush to small pieces by impact or stress.
You'll need a hammer to crack a black walnut.
(transitive) To strike forcefully.
She cracked him over the head with her handbag.
‘I vow to crack him full sore,’ said the knight, taking out his writing-table and making a note. 1936, Norman Lindsay, The Flyaway Highway, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 54:
I cracked myhead on a beam.
Bedding provided for late session became ammunition—meet ended in riot when Labor man cracked leader on jaw. 1914 June 10, “Pillow Fight In Australian Parliament”, in Independence Daily Reporter:
Watch your head, don't crack it on that beam.
(transitive) To open slightly.
Could you please crack the window?
(figuratively, transitive) To cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure.
They managed to crack him on the third day.
(figuratively, transitive) To solve a difficult problem.
I've finally cracked it, and of course the answer is obvious in hindsight.
"[...] The key to battery trains is more the ability to charge quickly. If you can do that, you've cracked it." 2021 November 17, Conrad Landin, “Network News: Vivarail goes forth with fast-charging batteries”, in RAIL, number 944, page 13:
(transitive) To overcome a security system or component.
They finally cracked the code.
It took a minute to crack the lock, three minutes to crack the security system, and about twenty minutes to crack the safe.
(transitive) To cause to make a sharp sound.
Hershell cracked his knuckles, a nervous habit that drove Inez crazy[…] 2001, Doug McGuinn, The Apple Indians:
to crack a whip
(transitive) To tell (a joke).
The performance was fine until he cracked that dead baby joke.
(transitive) To break down (a complex molecule), especially with the application of heat: to pyrolyse.
Acetone is cracked to ketene and methane at 700°C.
(transitive) To circumvent software restrictions such as regional coding or time limits.
Nobody really knows how much actual damage cracking does to the software companies. But as the industry rolls apprehensively toward the uncertain future of an ever-more frictionless electronic marketplace, almost everyone thinks piracy will increase. 1997 April 1, David McCandless, “Warez Wars”, in Wired, →ISSN:
That software licence will expire tomorrow unless we can crack it.
(informal, transitive) To open a canned beverage, or any packaged drink or food.
Old Bouvet was waiting in the passage when I entered, and he asked me whether we might not crack a bottle of wine together. 1894, The Strand, volume 8, page 569:
Let's crack a tube and watch the game.
I'd love to crack open a beer.
(obsolete) To brag; to boast.
And Æthiopes of their ſweet complexion crack. c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 134, column 2, line 268:
Stultitiam ſuam produnt &c. (ſaith Platerus) your very tradeſmen, if they be excellent, will crack and bragge, and ſhew their folly in exceſſe. 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Cauſes of Melancholy. Vaine-glory, Pride, Ioy, Praiſe, &c.”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition I, section 2, member 3, subsection 14, page 126:
To whom the boaſter, that all knights did blot, / With proud diſdaine did ſcornefull anſwere make; […] And further did vncomely ſpeaches crake. 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto III”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 16, page 216:
Cardan cracks that he can cure all diſeaſes with water alone, as Hippocrates of old did moſt infirmities with one medicine. 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Cure of Melancholy. Simple alternatives. Compound Alternatiues, Cenſure of Compounds and mixt Phyſick.”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 4, member 1, subsection v:
(archaic, colloquial) To be ruined or impaired; to fail.
The credit[…]of exchequers cracks, when little comes in and much goes out. 1697, Virgil, “Dedications”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
(colloquial) To barely reach or attain (a measurement or extent).
An underground band that never cracked the Hot 100
IQ (Intelligence Quotient), number said to measure an individual's intelligence that many experts who clearly didn't crack 125 say overlooks important attributes such as creativity and social skills. 2012, The Onion Book of Known Knowledge, page 102:
(qualifier:mid 2020s slang) To have sex with a female or feminine person for the first time, especially penetrative sex.
[…] they end up thinking that they can escape the pain of incel-dom by “cracking” a femboy […] 2025 September 17, Henry Giardina, “Transmaxxing, femboys & the groyper ideology that’s poisoning people’s brains”, in Queerty:
Did you hear about Josh cracking Stacy in the school hall?
(qualifier:mid 2020s slang, usually) To have sex with a female or feminine person for the first time, especially penetrative sex. ▸ To have sex.
i shifted to crack him. i cracked him real good in my dr. 2026 May 20, u/yakhdili, “addressing the new shiftcels who are interested in knowing about my experience, this will be good i promise.”, in r/shiftingcirclejerk (Reddit post):
da sprække (to make a crack or cracks in) · es resquebrajar (to make a crack or cracks in) · ru трещать (to make a cracking sound) · gl lañar (to form cracks) · tr çatlatmak (to make a crack or cracks in) · hu elcsuklik (of voice: to change rapidly in register) · ga pléasc (to make a cracking sound) · es agrietarse (to form cracks) · ru взла́мывать (to overcome a security system or a component) · ru треснуть (to break apart under pressure) · fr lâcher (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · fi hajota (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · da revne (to form cracks) · el κάνω κρότο (to make a cracking sound) · fr se fissurer (to form cracks) · da åbne på klem (to open slightly) · da knække (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · cho bʋsa (to make a cracking sound) · hu feltör (to break open or crush to small pieces) · it frantumare (to break apart under pressure) · ca esquerdar-se (to form cracks) · fi murtua (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · fr casser (to break open or crush to small pieces) · hu pattint (to cause to make a sharp sound) · fi murjaista (to tell (a joke)) · fi krakkautua (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · ta நொறுங்கு (to yield under interrogation) · sh одшкринути (to open slightly) · hu elsüt (to tell (a joke)) · fi sihauttaa (to open a canned beverage etc.) · ru расколо́ть (to cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure) · mi tawhā (to break apart under pressure) · es craquearse (to form cracks) · it spezzare (to form cracks) · fi rikkoutua (to break apart under pressure) · it scindere (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · ru раска́лывать (to break open or crush to small pieces) · fi mennä rikki (to break apart under pressure) · hu csattog (to make a cracking sound) · it schioccare (to cause to make a sharp sound) · mi pakē (to make a cracking sound) · hu recseg (to make a cracking sound) · fr craquer (to circumvent software restrictions) · it violare (to circumvent software restrictions) · hu berepedezik (to form cracks) · sv bryta ihop (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · es quebrarse (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · gl lañar (to make a crack or cracks in) · haw pohā (to make a cracking sound) · tr kırmak (to circumvent software restrictions) · is leysa (to solve a difficult problem) · fr craquer (to break apart under pressure) · tr geçmek (to circumvent software restrictions) · eo kraki (to form cracks) · ru приоткрывать (to open slightly) · ga scáin (to form cracks) · pt rachar (to make a cracking sound) · fi mennä nurin (to be ruined or impaired; to fail) · de knallen (to make a cracking sound) · el ραγίζω (to form cracks) · hu felnyit (to open a canned beverage etc.) · hu megfejt (to solve a difficult problem) · mi pakō (to cause to make a sharp sound) · tr bozulmak (to be ruined or impaired; to fail) · es salirle gallipavos (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · hu megreped (to form cracks) · ota قیرمق (to break open or crush to small pieces) · mi whakapakaru (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · it scomporre (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · es quebrarse (to break apart under pressure) · tr çözmek (to solve a difficult problem) · ro crăpa (to break apart under pressure) · ka გაბზარვა (to form cracks) · hu szétrepeszt (to make a crack or cracks in) · ta அறை (to strike forcefully) · fi halkeilla (to form cracks) · fi murtua (to form cracks) · da omgå (to circumvent software restrictions) · pt rachar (to form cracks) · fi särkyä (to break apart under pressure) · ru раска́лывать (to cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure) · hu reccsen (to make a cracking sound) · nrf cratchi (to break apart under pressure) · hu elrepeszt (to make a crack or cracks in) · fi ratkaista (to solve a difficult problem) · sv spricka (to break apart under pressure) · es cascarse (to break apart under pressure) · hu összetör (to break open or crush to small pieces) · fi kaatua (to be ruined or impaired; to fail) · hu megtörik (to yield under interrogation) · mi kē (to make a cracking sound) · it craccare (to circumvent software restrictions) · ta அடி (to strike forcefully) · fi rikkoa (to break open or crush to small pieces) · hu bont (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · gl rachar (to make a crack or cracks in) · hu elreped (to break apart under pressure) · ru коло́ть (to cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure) · fi posauttaa (to open a canned beverage etc.) · ru приоткрыть (to open slightly) · es reventar (to break apart under pressure) · it mutare (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · mi patatē (to make a cracking sound) · pam aspak (to form cracks) · da knække (to overcome a security system or a component) · as ফটা (to form cracks) · da løse (to solve a difficult problem) · da blære sig (to brag, boast) · tr çatlamak (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · fi rasahtaa (to make a cracking sound) · pt craquear (to circumvent software restrictions) · es soltar gallos (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · hu feltör (to overcome a security system or a component) · es craquearse (to break apart under pressure) · gl estalar (to cause to make a sharp sound) · it eludere (to circumvent software restrictions) · gl rachar (to form cracks) · hu felbomlik (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · tr çatlamak (of voice: to change rapidly in register) · ta உடை (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · tr çatlamak (to form cracks) · hu csattint (to cause to make a sharp sound) · hu megtör (to cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure) · ru раска́лываться (to yield under interrogation) · ru потре́скаться (to form cracks) · sk rozpučiť (to break apart under pressure) · my အက် (to form cracks) · de einreißen (to form cracks) · is springa (to form cracks) · fi murtaa (to cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure) · fi pamauttaa (to strike forcefully) · fi paukauttaa (to cause to make a sharp sound) · it aggirare (to circumvent software restrictions) · ru состри́ть (to make a sharply humorous comment) · fi rehennellä (to brag, boast) · fr entrouvrir (to open slightly) · as ফাটা (to form cracks) · ru кря́кнуть (to overcome a security system or a component) · sv knäcka (to overcome a security system or a component) · fi pamauttaa (to cause to make a sharp sound) · it forzare (to overcome a security system or a component) · da bryde op (to break open or crush to small pieces) · fi murtaa (to circumvent software restrictions) · is brotna (of voice: to change rapidly in register) · it sbriciolare (to break apart under pressure) · el τρίζω (to make a cracking sound) · it stappare (to open a canned beverage etc.) · fi murtua (to break apart under pressure) · pt arrebentar (to break apart under pressure) · sv spricka (to form cracks) · ru лома́ться (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · ru тре́скаться (to form cracks) · da bryde sammen (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · tr kırılmak (to be ruined or impaired; to fail) · fr craquer (to make a cracking sound) · gl estalar (to make a cracking sound) · it aggirare (to overcome a security system or a component) · da knække (to circumvent software restrictions) · nl barsten (to form cracks) · it rompere (of voice: to change rapidly in register) · fi hajottaa (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · mi tākiri (to cause to make a sharp sound) · ta நொறுக்கு (to break apart under pressure) · fi raottaa (to open slightly) · it impazzire (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · ka დაბზარვა (to form cracks) · da sprække (to form cracks) · el σπάω (to break apart under pressure) · tr çatlamak (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · de bersten (to break apart under pressure) · tr övünmek (to brag, boast) · ru расколо́ть (to break open or crush to small pieces) · tr patlatmak (to tell (a joke)) · ta நொருக்கு (to break apart under pressure) · da knalde (to make a cracking sound) · hu résnyire kinyit (to open slightly) · ota قیرمق (to make a crack or cracks in) · fi räsähtää (to make a cracking sound) · hu feltör (to circumvent software restrictions) · nl kraken (to break apart under pressure) · de knacken (to overcome a security system or a component) · fr lâcher (to make a sharply humorous comment) · hu repedezik (to form cracks) · ta பிள (to open slightly) · fr craquer (to yield under interrogation) · hu megrepeszt (to make a crack or cracks in) · hu kinyit (to open a canned beverage etc.) · fi särkeä (to make a crack or cracks in) · fr décapsuler (to open a canned beverage etc.) · ta நொறுங்கு (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · ru кря́кнуть (to circumvent software restrictions) · pt quebrar (to break apart under pressure) · ta விரிசல் விடு (to form cracks) · fr craquer (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · fr casser (to overcome a security system or a component) · fr hacker (to circumvent software restrictions) · pt rachar (to make a crack or cracks in) · izh longuttaa (to open slightly) · sv knäckas (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · sv knäckas (to yield under interrogation) · hu mutál (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · is setja rifu á (to open slightly) · ru расколо́ться (to yield under interrogation) · nl kraken (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · it dare di matto (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · it eludere (to overcome a security system or a component) · fr muer (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · fi haljeta (to form cracks) · ga pléasc (to cause to make a sharp sound) · hu csattan (to make a cracking sound) · es agrietar (to make a crack or cracks in) · cmn 断裂 (to break apart under pressure) · gl regañar (to form cracks) · ru остри́ть (to make a sharply humorous comment) · ru взломать (to circumvent software restrictions) · it schioccare (to make a cracking sound) · pt quebrar (to overcome a security system or a component) · es crakearse (to form cracks) · ga scáin (to make a crack or cracks in) · da knække (to solve a difficult problem) · it disattivare (to overcome a security system or a component) · pt crackar (to circumvent software restrictions) · da sprække (to break apart under pressure) · he פָּרַץ (to circumvent software restrictions) · gl escachar (to break apart under pressure) · te బద్దలగు (to break open or crush to small pieces) · gl rebentar (to break apart under pressure) · it frantumare (to form cracks) · ta உடை (to break apart under pressure) · sv knäcka (to solve a difficult problem) · es rajar (to make a crack or cracks in) · tr ezmek (to break open or crush to small pieces) · fi murtua (of voice: to change rapidly in register) · fi murtua (to yield under interrogation) · it fendere (to form cracks) · fi hajota (to break apart under pressure) · it stonare (to cause to make a sharp sound) · ru взлома́ть (to overcome a security system or a component) · fi murtaa (to overcome a security system or a component) · pt estralar (to cause to make a sharp sound) · hu bomlik (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · tr açmak (to open a canned beverage etc.) · is brjóta (to break open or crush to small pieces) · hu felbont (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · fi rusahtaa (to make a cracking sound) · ru взла́мывать (to circumvent software restrictions) · sv spräcka (to make a crack or cracks in) · it spaccare (to form cracks) · la fatiscō (to form cracks) · clt kyi (to form cracks) · fi krakata (to break down, especially with the application of heat) · fr cogner (to strike forcefully) · nl kraken (to form cracks) · fi murjaista (to make a sharply humorous comment) · da tæske (to strike forcefully) · it fare una battuta (to tell (a joke)) · fi avata (to open a canned beverage etc.) · sw alika (to make a cracking sound) · sh odškrinuti (to open slightly) · da åbne på klem (to open a canned beverage etc.) · it crepitare (to cause to make a sharp sound) · el τρελαίνομαι (to become debilitated by psychological pressure) · kw krackya (to break apart under pressure) · fi murtua (of boy's voice: to alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering) · da gå fallit (to be ruined or impaired; to fail) · fi särkeä (to break open or crush to small pieces)
Slang first attested 1793, perhaps from the verb in the sense of doing something quickly or with intelligence, or in the sense of "speaking boastingly" and having something to be proud of.
Meanings
(not-comparable) Highly trained and competent.
Even a crack team of investigators would have trouble solving this case.
Fortunately, it is unusual for the crack transatlantic liners to sail or dock on a Saturday, but it is the custom for most holiday cruises to start on that day, returning on Fridays a fortnight or three weeks later. 1962 April, J. N. Faulkner, “Summer Saturday at Waterloo”, in Modern Railways, page 264:
She's a crack shot with that rifle.
Every scratch in the scheme was a gnarled oak in the forest of difficulty, and I went on cutting them down, one after another, with such vigour, that in three or four months I was in a condition to make an experiment on one of our crack speakers in the Commons. 1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, chapter 38, in The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC:
Slang first attested 1793, perhaps from the verb in the sense of doing something quickly or with intelligence, or in the sense of "speaking boastingly" and having something to be proud of.
Meanings
(obsolete) One who excels; the best, especially a winning racehorse.
1st Gent. What dost think, Jockey? / 2nd Gent. The crack o' the field's against you. 1888 [1637], James Shirley, Hyde Park, act IV, scene iii, page 236:
Stanton had at one time a reputation for inaccessibility, but that has long since become a thing of the past, […] So that the gallops of the cracks' can, in most cases, be regularly watched and their daily doings truthfully chronicled. 1872, Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes, volume 21, page 314: