cracked

cracked — adjective

1. describes an object whose surface has thin lines or splits, usually from being d

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describes an object whose surface has thin lines or splits, usually from being dropped, hit, or worn over time

Example

Mira noticed a cracked tile on the kitchen floor near the sink.

attributive use: cracked + [object]

João's phone screen was cracked after he dropped it on the pavement.

predictive: be + cracked after an accident

Common collocations
  • cracked wall
  • cracked glass
  • cracked phone screen
  • cracked tile
  • cracked mirror
  • cracked from [heat / age / use]
Synonyms
  • fractured

    more severe; often used for bones or rocks, implying complete separation

  • chipped

    describes a small piece broken off at the edge, rather than a line on the surface

  • split

    suggests a longer, more visible opening, often through the whole object

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

cracked + noun

be + cracked

be + cracked + from + [cause]

Common Mistakes

The window was full of cracked.
The window was cracked.
cracked is an adjective, not a noun for surface damage.

2. describing someone as mentally ill or behaving unreasonably, in a way that is of

2.adjective
Definition

describing someone as mentally ill or behaving unreasonably, in a way that is offensive and should never be used

Example

Anthony's father called him cracked just for visiting a therapist.

offensive use: call + [sb] + cracked

Using the word cracked to insult someone's mental health is deeply hurtful.

Common collocations
  • call [someone] cracked
  • shout cracked at [someone]

Grammar Patterns

call + [someone] + cracked

be + cracked

Usage Note

This sense is a slur against people with mental health conditions. NEVER use it to describe someone's mental state, emotional behaviour, or personality. Neutral alternatives include 'mentally ill,' 'has depression,' 'feeling anxious,' or 'behaving unusually.'

Common Mistakes

He felt a bit cracked after working all night.
He felt exhausted after working all night.
using cracked to mean tired or strange is offensive and stigmatising.

3. informally describing a person, idea, or plan as silly, unreasonable, or amusing

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

informally describing a person, idea, or plan as silly, unreasonable, or amusingly strange, without the offensive overtones of sense 2

Example

Walid told a cracked story about aliens living in his garden shed.

informal attributive: cracked + story (silly/unbelievable)

Sayaka laughed at her brother's plan, which she thought was completely cracked.

predicative: be + completely cracked

Common collocations
  • completely cracked
  • sound cracked
  • seem cracked
  • cracked idea
  • cracked plan
Synonyms
  • crazy

    more common and neutral in informal English; broader range of contexts

  • absurd

    focuses on unreasonableness rather than silliness; slightly more formal

  • ridiculous

    emphasises how laughable or unreasonable something is

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[subject] + be + cracked

[subject] + sound + cracked

[subject] + seem + cracked

Usage Note

Predominantly used predicatively (subject + be + cracked). Attributive use (a cracked idea) is possible but less common. Unlike sense 2, this sense is mildly playful and not directed at mental health — it describes ideas or behaviours as unconventional or foolish.

Common Mistakes

That cracked movie was so funny.
That movie was so funny.
cracked is rarely used attributively to describe entertainment; use predicative for describing ideas or plans.

4. describing a voice that sounds rough, unsteady, or breaks suddenly, usually beca

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing a voice that sounds rough, unsteady, or breaks suddenly, usually because the speaker is upset or emotional rather than physically ill

Example

Christopher spoke with a cracked voice as he said goodbye to his family.

cracked + voice: emotional distress pattern

Eliska's voice was cracked and shaky during her speech at the funeral.

predicative: be + cracked + and + shaky

Common collocations
  • cracked voice
  • cracked whisper
  • cracked tone
  • voice went cracked
  • sound cracked (of voice)
Synonyms
  • hoarse

    rough voice from overuse or illness, not emotion

  • shaky

    trembling or unsteady, often from nervousness; does not imply roughness

  • strained

    tight or forced, as if the speaker is trying not to cry

Antonyms
  • steady

    stable and controlled, not breaking or trembling

  • clear

    easy to hear and understand, without roughness

Grammar Patterns

cracked + voice / whisper / tone

voice + be + cracked

voice + go + cracked

Usage Note

Typically describes emotion-driven voice changes — grief, nervousness, or intense joy — not hoarseness from illness. For a physically sore throat, use 'hoarse' instead.

Common Mistakes

My voice is cracked because I caught a cold.
My voice is hoarse because I caught a cold.
cracked implies emotional upset, not a physical sore throat.

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cracked surface
  • cracked object

Adverbs

  • badly cracked
  • slightly cracked
  • completely cracked

Phrases

  • cracked and broken

Prepositions

  • cracked from
  • cracked by