What does crunchy mean Meaning and Definition
What does crunchy mean
Pronunciation
/ˈkrʌn.tʃi/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Description of a texture that is hard and loud when bitten or chewed, often referring to food, especially chips, nuts, or raw vegetables.
Examples
- The crunchy texture of the fresh vegetables added freshness to the salad.
- Crispy fried chicken can be very crunchy, especially when served with a side of tangy sauce.
Synonyms
- Crispy
- Crunchy
- Cricket
Antonyms
- Mushy
- Soft
- Moist
Etymology
The term ‘crunchy’ is believed to have originated from the sound made when biting or chewing on a hard, crunchy object, which can be heard as a crunching or snapping noise.
Usage Notes
When using the term ‘crunchy’, consider the context in which it is being used. For example, ‘crunchy’ might be used to describe the texture of potato chips, but it might not be used to describe the texture of a soft-boiled egg.
Also, note that ‘crunchy’ can be used both as an adjective and as a verb, meaning to make or become crunchy.
Cultural References
The term ‘crunchy’ has been referenced in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and music. For example, in the movie ‘The Hunger Games’, the heroine Katniss Everdeen is described as having a ‘crunchy’ appearance due to her malnutrition.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- ‘Crunch time’ – the final or most critical moment in a situation.
- ‘Crunchy snack’ – a snack that is hard and crunchy, such as nuts or crackers.
Related Words or Phrases
- Crunchy, crispy, and crispy.
- Munch, snack, and nibble.
Collocations
- Crunchy apple.
- Crunchy fries.
- Crunchy rice.
Frequency of Use
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), ‘crunchy’ is a fairly common word, ranking 14,181st in frequency of its 16,000 most common words in American English corpus.
Common Misspellings
- Crunchy vs. Krunchy.
- Crunchi vs. Crunchy.