crackle

1 of 2

verb

crack·​le ˈkra-kəl How to pronounce crackle (audio)
crackled; crackling ˈkra-k(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce crackle (audio)
Synonyms of cracklenext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
the fire crackles on the hearth
b
: to show animation : sparkle
the essays crackle with wit
2
: craze sense intransitive 2

transitive verb

: to crush or crack with snapping noises
cracklingly adverb

crackle

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the noise of repeated small cracks or reports
b
: sparkle, effervescence
2
: a network of fine cracks on an otherwise smooth surface

Examples of crackle in a Sentence

Verb The logs crackled in the fire. The leaves crackled under our feet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
All three plays share Maya’s signature style of blazing-fast dialogue, crackling humor, occasional lines spoken in Spanish and a quick wrap-up in under two hours. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2026 Few things are as romantic as a sip of amber beside a crackling sagebrush fire while the coyotes serenade the moon. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
The final grace note is a sprinkling of pig skin, fried and pulverized, to add crackle to the bite. — Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 The headphones were fussier with lossless FLAC playback from my phone when multipoint was active, introducing crackle and playback rate issues. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crackle

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of crack entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of crackle was circa 1570

Rhymes for crackle

See All Rhymes for crackle

Browse Nearby Words

crackjaw
crackle
crackless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crackle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crackle. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crackle

verb
crack·​le
ˈkrak-əl
crackled; crackling
-(ə-)liŋ
: to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
crackle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crackle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for crackle

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