WordGarden.iocrunch
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /krˈʌntʃ/
US
- /ˈkrəntʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to make or cause a hard crackling sound when crushed or bitten
to process numbers or data by calculation
Noun
a hard crackling sound made by something being crushed or bitten
a crisp, hard texture in food
a difficult period of pressure or shortage, especially of time or money
More meaningsFewer meanings
an abdominal exercise done by curling the upper body forward
Beyond the definition
You crunch numbers when you're working through a tough math problem, but you also hear a crunch when you step on dry leaves! The word "crunch" describes both the act of pressing down with force and the resulting sound—think of biting into a crisp apple. It can also describe a difficult or decisive period, like a "year-end sales crunch."
If your shoes crunch on gravel, that's the sound of something being crushed. If you crunch data, it means you're analyzing it intensely. And if a company is in a financial crunch, it's facing a tough situation with limited resources. Ultimately, "crunch" is about sound, action, or pressure.
The word "crunch" has surprisingly diverse meanings, all stemming from the idea of applying significant pressure. At its most literal, to crunch means to press something firmly enough to break, grind, or crack it. Think of biting into a fresh carrot—that satisfying sound and sensation is a "crunch." You might also crunch leaves underfoot in autumn or hear the rhythmic crunch of snow beneath your boots.
But "crunch" isn't limited to physical actions. It is often used figuratively to describe intense effort applied to a task. To crunch numbers means to analyze data thoroughly, often with a sense of urgency. Businesses might "crunch" sales figures at the end of a quarter to find trends. This usage emphasizes focused, hard work performed under pressure.
Perhaps most interestingly, "crunch" refers to a critical or difficult period. A financial crunch describes a time when money is tight and resources are scarce. An energy crunch refers to a sudden shortage of fuel or power. In these contexts, "crunch" implies a challenging situation demanding immediate attention and resolution.
Whether it's the sound of something breaking, the act of intense analysis, or a period of hardship, "crunch" always suggests pressure, force, and a sense of urgency.
Examples
- 1
Eating sound
She bit into the toast, and it crunched loudly.
- 2
Gravel sound
I could hear the crunch of gravel under the car tires.
- 3
Exercise
He does a few crunches every morning before work.
- 4
Calculations
We need to crunch the numbers before we decide on a price.
- Phrasecrunch the numbers
do the calculations carefully
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Time pressure
I’m in a time crunch, so I can’t stay long.
- Phrasein a time crunch
having very little time
- 6
Financial pressure
The company is facing a cash crunch after a slow summer.
- Phrasea cash crunch
a period when there is not enough money
- 7
Decisive moment
Everyone was nervous, but she stayed calm at crunch time.
- Phraseat crunch time
at the most important and pressured moment
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- crunchnounverb
Forms
- crunching-ing formverbnoun
- crunchesverbnoun
- crunchedpast tenseverbnoun