Crunch Is a Word That Sounds Like Its Meaning
To crunch is to crush noisily. The word is onomatopoeic, and it also names a moment of decisive pressure.
To crunch is to crush something noisily, or to process a large quantity of numbers. The word imitates the sound and has shifted its spelling to match: earlier English had *craunch* and *scrunch*. It also names a moment of pressure — *the crunch* — and in software a *crunch period* is the punishing rush before a deadline.
- To crush noisily. *Crunching gravel.*
- A crushing sound. *The crunch of snow.*
- A critical moment. *When it comes to the crunch.*
- To process data. *Crunch the numbers.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | crunch | Crunch the ice. |
| Past | crunched | Crunched underfoot. |
| Noun | crunch | A loud crunch. |
| Adjective | crunchy | Crunchy bread. |
| Related | scrunch | Scrunch the paper. |
How it is used in a sentence
- When it comes to the crunch.At the decisive moment.
- The credit crunch hit in 2008.A sudden shortage of lending.
- Crunch the numbers before deciding.Calculate.
Sound-imitating words
- crunch — a crushing noise
- splash — water striking
- hiss — a sibilant sound
- clatter — repeated hard sounds
- murmur — a low continuous sound
An imitative word, an alteration of earlier *craunch*. The financial and deadline senses are twentieth century.
What is onomatopoeia?
A word that imitates the sound it names. Crunch, hiss, buzz and splash are all examples.
What was the credit crunch?
A sudden tightening of lending, particularly the shortage that began in 2007 and led to the financial crisis.