WordGarden.iocrackly
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈækli/
US
- /krˈækli/
Meanings
Adjective
making or full of small sharp crackling sounds
crisp, brittle, or textured so it crackles
Beyond the definition
Think of autumn leaves underfoot—that satisfying crunch and rustle. That's crackly! It most often describes a sound: lots of tiny pops, snaps, and rustles, like a campfire or a weak radio signal. But it can also describe a texture: something dry, brittle, and easy to break, like an old paper bag or a dried layer of paint. You wouldn't describe smooth silk as crackly, but you would describe thin plastic wrap or brittle paper that way.
"Crackly" is a wonderfully evocative word that appeals to both our ears and our sense of touch. Primarily, it describes a sound—a series of small, sharp cracking or rustling noises. Think of the crackle of a campfire as the wood burns, the static on an old radio, or the crispness of autumn leaves being crushed under your feet. It's not usually a single loud snap, but rather a continuous, delicate series of pops and breaks.
But "crackly" isn't limited to sound! It can also describe a texture—something that feels brittle, dry, and easily broken. An antique map might be described as crackly with age, or the surface of dried mud after a long drought. This textural meaning implies fragility and often suggests something old or worn.
The context is key: you might enjoy the crackly sound of a vinyl record, but you wouldn't want your voice to sound crackly on a phone call! It's a word that brings a specific sensory experience to mind—one of delicate sounds and fragile textures. You can even use it metaphorically; an old memory might be described as "crackly" if it's fragmented and fading with time.
Examples
- 1
Dry leaves
Dry leaves made a crackly sound under our boots.
- 2
Radio reception
The old radio was so crackly that we missed half the news.
- 3
Morning voice
Her voice sounded soft and a little crackly when she first woke up.
- 4
Old recordings
I like old recordings, even when they have that slightly crackly background noise.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Baking texture
The brownies had a shiny, crackly top.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- cracklyadjective
Forms
- crackliercomparativeadjective
- crackliestsuperlativeadjective