Cracked
/krækt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo break something, or to become broken.
/krækt/
To break or cause to break without complete separation.
The vase cracked when it fell on the floor.
💡 Simply: If something is cracked, it's broken a little bit, like your phone screen after you drop it. It's not completely broken in two, but there's a line or split.
👶 For kids: To break something a little bit, like when you drop an egg and the shell gets a line on it.
More Examples
He cracked his knuckles.
The drought caused the ground to crack.
How It's Used
"The foundation cracked due to the earthquake."
"She cracked an egg into the pan."
Having one or more breaks or fissures, damaged.
/krækt/
Broken with lines, fissures, or flaws.
The cracked pavement made it difficult to walk.
💡 Simply: If something is cracked, it's got little lines or breaks on it. Like an old plate that's been dropped a few times.
👶 For kids: When something has little lines on it from breaking a little bit.
More Examples
She found a cracked cup in the cupboard.
The display on his phone was cracked.
How It's Used
"The antique painting had a cracked surface."
"He found a cracked version of the software."
To solve a problem, code, or puzzle, often by breaking through a barrier.
/krækt/
To solve or decipher something, typically a code or a problem.
The detectives finally cracked the case.
💡 Simply: When you crack a code, it's like finally figuring out a secret message or puzzle. It takes some work and can feel super smart!
👶 For kids: To figure something out, like a secret code or a puzzle.
More Examples
She cracked the complex equation.
He cracked the password to the computer.
How It's Used
"The hacker cracked the encryption."
"She finally cracked the code after hours of work."
Idioms & expressions
crack a joke
To tell a joke.
"He cracked a joke to lighten the mood."
crack under pressure
To give way or fail because of stress or pressure.
"He cracked under the pressure of the deadline."
crack of dawn
The first light of day.
"They started their hike at the crack of dawn."
From Middle English *cracked*, past participle of cracken ("to crack"), from Old English *cracian* ("to crack"), ultimately imitative of the sound.
The word 'crack' has been in use since Old English, reflecting the physical action of breaking and the sound it makes.
Memory tip
Imagine a sound, a sharp 'crack!' - that's something breaking.
Word Origin
"to make a sudden sharp noise; to break or split"