Cracker
/ˈkrækər/
Definitions
4 meaningsA thin, crisp biscuit often eaten with cheese or other toppings.
/ˈkrækər/
A thin, crisp biscuit.
She served crackers and dip at the party.
💡 Simply: A cracker is like a crispy, flat bread that you can eat by itself or with things like cheese or peanut butter! Imagine you're having a snack and reach for something crunchy - that's a cracker!
👶 For kids: A cracker is a yummy, crunchy snack that you can eat with cheese or other things.
More Examples
The cheese and crackers were a delicious appetizer.
He munched on crackers while watching TV.
How It's Used
"I like to eat crackers with cheese."
A firework that explodes with a loud bang.
/ˈkrækər/
A firework that makes a loud popping sound.
The Fourth of July celebration included numerous firecrackers.
💡 Simply: A cracker is a small firework that makes a loud 'crack!' sound when it goes off. Imagine you're at a festival and hear lots of loud bangs and flashes – those could be crackers!
👶 For kids: A cracker is a small firework that makes a loud bang!
More Examples
He lit a cracker, and it made a loud bang.
Children enjoy playing with small firecrackers during festivals.
How It's Used
"The children were excited to set off the crackers on New Year's Eve."
A person who illegally breaks into a computer system or network.
/ˈkrækər/
A person who illegally gains access to a computer system.
The cracker was able to access sensitive financial data.
💡 Simply: A cracker, in the computer world, is someone who breaks into computers or networks without permission, often to steal information or cause damage. It's like someone trying to sneak into your secret hideout and mess with your stuff.
👶 For kids: A cracker is like a bad guy who tries to break into your computer to get your secrets.
More Examples
Law enforcement is trying to track down the cracker responsible for the cyber attack.
Companies need robust security measures to protect themselves from crackers.
How It's Used
"The company's security systems were breached by a skilled cracker."
A derogatory term for a white person, particularly in the Southern United States.
/ˈkrækər/
A person, especially a white person, from the southern United States.
The term 'cracker' can be offensive and should be used with caution.
💡 Simply: This is a slang term for white people from the South, similar to how someone might refer to people of the region.
👶 For kids: A cracker is a word some people use to describe white people from the southern part of America, but it's not a nice word, so you shouldn't use it.
More Examples
Historically, the term was used to refer to poor whites in the South.
The use of 'cracker' is often seen as a racial slur.
How It's Used
"The term 'cracker' is sometimes used to refer to people from the South."
Idioms & expressions
crackerjack
Excellent or first-rate.
"The team put in a crackerjack performance."
From Middle English craker, from craken ('to crack, make a cracking noise'), of imitative origin. Also influenced by the earlier use of the word 'cracker' for a type of firework.
The word 'cracker' has been used since the 18th century, with the 'firework' meaning appearing later. The derogatory usage for a white Southerner emerged in the 18th century.
Memory tip
Think of the sound the cracker makes when you bite it: 'crack'.