crack

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "crack" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to a long, narrow opening or a break made in something solid, usually referring to the breaking of some type of surface (e.g., "I heard a loud crack as the branch broke in half"), or as a verb to refer to breaking something (e.g., "He cracked the safe open"). Example sentence: "After multiple attempts, he finally managed to crack the code."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 10.53am AEST01 53 Immigration minister Scott Morrison is expected to have another crack at introducing temporary protection visas in the senate after Labor got rid of them in the last parliament.

The Guardian

Since all it takes for evil to prevail is one good seven-year-old to do nothing, I continued to crack the case wide open: "And what about the tooth fairy?" I got up to tell my sister, but was waylaid by an adult offering me chocolate cake in exchange for my silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

To climb in this fashion a climber will hammer a peg (or "piton") into a crack, wedge chocks – pieces of metal of various sizes and shapes – into it or place a skyhook (a very small grappling hook) over flakes of rock and edges.

The Guardian

"I decided I would stand on my head and crack an egg on my vagina," she says with disarming matter-of-factness.

The Guardian - Music

"We'll crack down on anyone who takes an irresponsible approach to roadworks without regard to the travel misery they can so often cause.

The Guardian

Spooked by Ed Miliband's offer of a freeze, the Tories suggest that they want to crack down on the very green taxes that they voted for.

The Guardian

I'm hardly a crack addict," she said, in her defence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My method is: don't look anyone in the eye, straightforward, crack on with it.

The Guardian - Music

Bake until the cakes just start to crack on top, 12 to 15 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A crack team of old-school yellow journalists should be deployed to dig up everything knowable about the owners, editors and political correspondents of the newspapers, along with the Tory frontbench, to be kept for retaliation and/or pre-emption.

The Guardian

The jury heard further details about what the police raids uncovered inside Roberts' home, including nine packets of cannabis, 16g of crack cocaine, a small amount of heroin and just over £500 in cash.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crack" in a metaphorical sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "crack" with words like "creak" or "croak", which have different meanings and connotations. Always double-check your spelling and context to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The word "crack" functions primarily as a noun referring to a fissure or break, or as a verb meaning to break something or solve a problem. Ludwig AI shows diverse usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "crack" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, denoting either a physical break or the act of solving something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register remains generally neutral, suitable for both formal and informal communication. While generally accepted, the best practice for using "crack" involves being aware of its multiple meanings and ensuring the context is clear. Be mindful of the potential to confuse it with similar-sounding words. Semantically related terms include "fissure", "fracture", and "solve", depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fissure

Refers specifically to a narrow opening or split in something, typically rock or earth.

crevice

Denotes a narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.

fracture

Signifies a break or crack in a hard object or material.

break

A general term for creating a separation or split in something.

split

Implies dividing something into two or more parts, often along a line of weakness.

snap

Suggests a sudden, sharp breaking sound or action.

solve

When referring to a problem, indicates finding a solution or answer.

circumvent

Implies finding a way around an obstacle or restriction.

demolish

To destroy or break apart something completely.

brittle

Describes something that is easily cracked or broken.

FAQs

How to use "crack" in a sentence?

You can use "crack" in a sentence to describe a physical break, as in, "There's a "crack" in the sidewalk" or to describe solving a problem, as in, "They managed to "crack" the code".

What can I say instead of "crack"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fissure" (for a split), "solve" (for a problem), or "break" (for physical separation).

Which is correct, "crack" or "craque"?

"Crack" is the correct English spelling. "Craque" is a French word meaning "star" or "ace", and not directly interchangeable with "crack".

What's the difference between "crack" and "crevice"?

"Crack" generally refers to a break or fracture, while "crevice" refers to a narrow opening, especially in a rock or wall. A "crevice" may or may not be the result of a "crack".