Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having lines or fractures on the surface; broken without complete separation: Describes an object that has developed fissures or splits, often while still remaining in one piece.
   • Informal: Mentally unsound or eccentric: Used informally to describe someone who is perceived as crazy, foolish, or irrational.
   • Of a voice: Suddenly changing in pitch, especially during puberty or due to emotion: Describes a voice that breaks into a higher register unexpectedly.
   • Of skin: Rough and split, especially from cold or dryness: Describes skin that is chapped or fissured.
   • Of a surface coating (like paint): Having a pattern of fine cracks resembling reptile skin: Describes a finish that has developed a network of small cracks, often due to age or improper application.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a damaged object:

  • She poured tea into the cracked cup carefully.
  • The old mirror was cracked but still reflective.

• Informal use for mental state:

  • He's gone completely cracked if he thinks that plan will work.
  • They thought her idea was cracked.

• Describing a voice:

  • His voice was cracked with emotion as he gave the speech.
  • The teenage boy's cracked voice embarrassed him.

• Describing skin or lips:

  • Her hands were red and cracked from the winter cold.
  • He applied balm to his cracked lips.

• Describing a surface finish:

  • The antique dresser had a cracked varnish that gave it character.

Advanced Usage

• "cracked up to be": (idiomatic, usually in negative or interrogative constructions) To be as good as people say.
  • The new restaurant isn't all it's cracked up to be.
• "cracked a smile": (informal) To smile, especially briefly or reluctantly.
  • The stern teacher finally cracked a smile at the student's joke.

Variants and Related Words

• Crack (verb/noun): The act of breaking or the resulting line of breakage.
  • A crack in the ice.
  • To crack a nut.
• Crackly (adj): Making a series of slight cracking noises.
  • The crackly sound of a old record.
• Crackpot (noun, informal): An eccentric or foolish person.
  • He was dismissed as a crackpot for his wild theories.

Synonyms

• Fractured: Broken or cracked.
• Crazy: (Informal) Mentally deranged; very foolish.
• Chapped: (Of skin) Rough and cracked.
• Craquelure: (Specialized, for art) A fine pattern of cracks in old paint or varnish.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms

• Crack down on: To start dealing with someone or something much more strictly.
  • The police are cracking down on speeding.
• Crack under pressure: To fail to cope with a demanding situation.
  • Some athletes crack under the pressure of competition.
• Crack a joke: To tell a joke.
  • He's always cracking jokes to lighten the mood.
• At the crack of dawn: Very early in the morning.
  • We left at the crack of dawn.

Adjective

1. informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
   • it used to drive my husband balmy
2. of paint or varnish; having the appearance of alligator hide
3. used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
   • chapped lips