crackle

UK: /ˈkræk^əl/ US: /ˈkrækəl/ ,(krak′əl)

Inflections of 'crackle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

crackles

v 3rd person singular

crackling

v pres p

crackled

v past

crackled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

crack•le /ˈkrækəl/   v., -led, -ling, n. 
v. [no object]

1. to make slight, sudden, sharp noises:
   The campfire crackled in the night.
2. to exhibit liveliness, excitement, or the like;
   sparkle:
   The play crackled with wit.

n. [countable]

3. the act or sound of crackling:
   the crackle of the breakfast cereal.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

crack•le  (krak′əl), v., -led, -ling, n. 
v.i. 

1. to make slight, sudden, sharp noises, rapidly repeated.
2. to form a network of fine cracks on the surface.
3. Ceramics (of ceramic glaze) to craze.
4. to exhibit liveliness, vibrancy, anticipation, etc.:
   The play crackled with wit.

v.t. 

5. to cause to crackle.
6. to break with a crackling noise.
7. Ceramics to craze (ceramic glaze).

n. 

8. the act of crackling.
9. a crackling noise.
10. Ceramics a network of fine cracks, as in the glaze of some kinds of porcelain.
11. Ceramics crackleware.

• crack + -le 1490–1500

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

crackle / ˈkræk^əl/ verb

1. to make or cause to make a series of slight sharp noises, as of paper being crushed or of a wood fire burning
2. (transitive) to decorate (porcelain or pottery) by causing a fine network of cracks to appear in the glaze
3. (intransitive) to abound in vivacity or energy

noun

1. the act or sound of crackling
2. intentional crazing in the glaze of a piece of porcelain or pottery
3. Also called: crackleware porcelain or pottery so decorated