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cracking. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cracking, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cracking in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cracking you have here. The definition of the word
cracking will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
cracking, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Noun
cracking (plural crackings)
- (organic chemistry, petrochemistry) The thermal decomposition of a substance, especially that of crude petroleum in order to produce petrol / gasoline.
- The formation of cracks on a surface.
- The production of a crack sound.
- the crackings of whips
Derived terms
Translations
production of crack sound
Adjective
cracking
- That cracks; that produces a sharp sound as of something splitting or breaking.
1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:From the spot where the body lay came a fierce fizzing and cracking sound, which ceased, however, before the fumes had cleared away.
- (colloquial) Great.
The race started at a cracking pace.
- (colloquial) Enjoyable.
We had a cracking time.
2020 December 30, Richard Clinnick, “Greater Anglia strikes again...”, in Rail, page 43:Near the back of the concourse is a piano, [...]. Explains Reeve: "It was donated by a lady who had written to me. My Duty Manager at the time had a qualification and so was able to restore it to full working order. I've heard some cracking tunes on it."
Translations
Adverb
cracking (not comparable)
- (British) Very, usually associated with praise.
It was a cracking good show.
Verb
cracking
- present participle and gerund of crack
Derived terms