crispy

USAGE SUMMARY

"crispy" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe food that is cooked to the point that it is crisp and crunchy. Example sentence: "I love the crispy crust on this pizza."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Homemade or not, I don't think frying the cheese is as optional as Toombs suggests – given that, in his words, it makes the paneer "melt in your mouth crispy on the outside and nice and warm in the centre", why wouldn't you?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of the great things about desiccated coconut is that it makes a wonderful, flavourful, crispy coating.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They would be followed by a duck coconut curry on sticky rice with bucket-loads of fresh mint, coriander, spring onions and crispy shallots scattered on top.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For years I thought crispy duck with pancakes was the world's greatest dish," sighed Rupert.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But perhaps the most thrilling thing about crispy duck was the impossibility of ever making it yourself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For me, though, it was always crispy duck.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lettuce – the soft sort rather than crispy iceberg – seems to be the one constant in summer rolls, and the leaves are usually used whole as a layer in themselves, although Brissenden calls for them to be shredded before use, which I think gives the rolls a better texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can make the crumbs extra crispy by drying them out in a warm oven for a few minutes or you could simply buy panko breadcrumbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then there's MarmadukeScarlet and her savoury rice porridge – topped with a soft-boiled egg, leftover roast chicken, chopped spring onion or chives as I had it, as well as crispy fried shallot, (all eminently packable), it's a delight at room temperature.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nice and crispy or is that just overcooked?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cheese, cheese and ham, and cheese and baked beans with HP sauce must all be contained in a hot, crispy shell.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about food, pair "crispy" with other descriptive adjectives to enhance the reader's sensory experience; for example, "light and crispy" or "golden and crispy".

Common error

Avoid using "crispy" to describe textures that are not related to food. Instead of saying "crispy paper", opt for terms like "stiff" or "firm".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "crispy" primarily functions to describe the texture of something, most commonly food. It indicates a firm surface that is easily broken, offering a sensory appeal. Ludwig provides numerous examples that highlight this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crispy" is a grammatically sound and very commonly used adjective used to describe a food texture, specifically its desirable brittle yet tender quality. According to Ludwig, it is found predominantly in News & Media, making it a neutral term suitable for various contexts. When writing, it's best practice to use "crispy" to describe food textures, but avoid overusing it for non-food items where more precise adjectives would be suitable. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can effectively and creatively use "crispy" in your writing to evoke vivid sensory experiences for your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crunchy

Focuses more on the sound and feel of something breaking when chewed.

crusty

Specifically refers to the hard outer layer of bread or baked goods.

crackling

Describes a bubbly and crispy surface, particularly on roasted pork.

brittle

Implies a hardness and tendency to break or snap easily.

friable

Describes something easily crumbled or reduced to powder.

delicate

Suggests a thin and easily damaged texture.

toasted

Implies browning and slight hardening from exposure to heat.

well-done

Refers to food cooked thoroughly, often resulting in a firm texture.

golden-brown

Highlights the color achieved through cooking, often associated with a desirable texture.

lightly browned

Suggests a subtle change in color and texture due to cooking.

FAQs

How can I use "crispy" in a sentence?

You can use "crispy" to describe foods with a brittle but tender texture, like "crispy bacon" or "crispy fried chicken".

What words are similar to "crispy"?

Similar words include "crunchy", "crusty", and "brittle", each emphasizing different aspects of texture.

Is it correct to say "crispy" when describing non-food items?

While generally used for food, you can technically use "crispy" to describe other textures if they share a similar brittle or easily broken quality. However, it's usually best to select a more precise adjective.

What makes something "crispy"?

Generally, a "crispy" texture is achieved through a cooking process (like frying, baking, or roasting) that removes moisture and creates a firm, easily broken surface. The degree of crispness will depend on the cooking time and temperature.