crash ◆◆◇ /kræ ʃ/ (crashes , crashing , crashed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A crash is an accident in which a moving vehicle hits something and is damaged or destroyed. □ His elder son was killed in a car crash a few years ago. □ …a plane crash.
2 VERB If a moving vehicle crashes or if the driver crashes it, it hits something and is damaged or destroyed. □ [V ] The plane crashed mysteriously near the island of Ustica. □ [V + into ] …when his car crashed into the rear of a van. □ [V n] He crashed his bike into a parked car and broke his arm. □ [V -ed] Her body was found near a crashed car.
3 VERB If something crashes somewhere, it moves and hits something else violently, making a loud noise. □ [V prep/adv] The door swung inwards to crash against a chest of drawers behind it. □ [V prep/adv] I heard them coming, crashing through the undergrowth, before I saw them.
4 N‑COUNT A crash is a sudden, loud noise. □ Two people in the flat recalled hearing a loud crash about 1.30 a.m.
5 VERB If a business or financial system crashes , it fails suddenly, often with serious effects. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] When the market crashed, they assumed the deal would be cancelled. ● N‑COUNT Crash is also a noun. □ He predicted correctly that there was going to be a stock market crash.
6 VERB If a computer or a computer program crashes , it fails suddenly. [COMPUTING ] □ [V ] …after the computer crashed for the second time in 10 days.
▸ crash out PHRASAL VERB If someone crashes out somewhere, they fall asleep where they are because they are very tired or drunk. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P ] I just want to crash out on the sofa. □ [V -ed P ] The band are crashed out on the floor. COLLOCATIONS crash NOUN 1
noun + crash : car, helicopter, plane, train, tram
adjective + crash : fatal, near-fatal; head-on, high-speed; horrific VERB 2
noun + crash : aircraft, helicopter, jet, plane; bus, car, lorry, motorcycle, truck
crash + noun : aircraft, helicopter, jet, plane; bus, car, lorry, motorcycle, truck
crash + adverb : headlong, head-on
cra sh bar|ri|er (crash barriers ) N‑COUNT A crash barrier is a strong low fence built along the side of a road or between the two halves of a motorway in order to prevent accidents. [BRIT ] in AM, use guardrail
cra sh cou rse (crash courses ) N‑COUNT A crash course in a particular subject is a short course in which you are taught basic facts or skills, for example before you start a new job. □ [+ in ] I did a 15-week crash course in typing.
cra sh hel|met (crash helmets ) N‑COUNT A crash helmet is a helmet that motorcyclists wear in order to protect their heads if they have an accident.
cra sh-la nd (crash-lands , crash-landing , crash-landed ) also crash land VERB If a pilot crash-lands an aircraft, or if it crash-lands , it lands more quickly and less safely than usual, for example when there is something wrong with the aircraft, and it cannot land normally. □ [V n] He arrives in his biplane and crash lands it in a tree. □ [V ] A light aircraft crash-landed on a putting green yesterday. ● crash-landing (crash-landings ) N‑COUNT □ His plane made a crash-landing during a sandstorm yesterday.
crass /kræ s/ (crasser , crassest ) ADJ Crass behaviour is stupid and does not show consideration for other people. □ The government has behaved with crass insensitivity. ● crass|ly ADV [ADV adj, ADV with v] □ …one of the most crassly stupid political acts of modern times. □ These teachings can be crassly misinterpreted.
crate /kre I t/ (crates , crating , crated )
1 N‑COUNT A crate is a large box used for transporting or storing things. □ …a pile of wooden crates. □ A crane was already unloading crates and pallets.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is crated , it is packed in a crate so that it can be transported or stored somewhere safely. □ [be V -ed] The much repaired plane was crated for the return journey.
3 N‑COUNT A crate is a plastic or wire box divided into sections which is used for carrying bottles. ● N‑COUNT A crate of something is the amount of it that is contained in a crate. □ [+ of ] We've also got a bonus quiz with crates of beer as prizes!
cra|ter /kre I tə r / (craters ) N‑COUNT A crater is a very large hole in the ground, which has been caused by something hitting it or by an explosion.
cra|tered /kre I tə r d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If the surface of something is cratered , it has many craters in it. □ … the Moon's cratered surface.
cra|vat /krəvæ t/ (cravats ) N‑COUNT A cravat is a piece of folded cloth which a man wears wrapped around his neck.
crave /kre I v/ (craves , craving , craved ) VERB If you crave something, you want to have it very much. □ [V n] There may be certain times of day when smokers crave their cigarette. □ [V + for ] You may be craving for some fresh air. [Also V to-inf] ● crav|ing (cravings ) N‑COUNT □ [+ for ] …a craving for sugar. □ …her craving to be loved.
cra|ven /kre I v ə n/ ADJ Someone who is craven is very cowardly. [WRITTEN , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They condemned the deal as a craven surrender.