cracked
cracked — adjective
1. describes an object whose surface has thin lines or splits, usually from being d
describes an object whose surface has thin lines or splits, usually from being dropped, hit, or worn over time
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
The old wooden bowl was cracked from years of use in the kitchen.
Élise carefully ran her finger along the cracked edge of the vase.
Be careful — that coffee mug is cracked and might leak hot liquid.
文法句型
cracked + noun
be + cracked
be + cracked + from + [cause]
常見錯誤
2. describing someone as mentally ill or behaving unreasonably, in a way that is of
describing someone as mentally ill or behaving unreasonably, in a way that is offensive and should never be used
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.
Faisal heard someone shout cracked at a woman on the street.
Sirin explained to her class that calling anyone cracked is never acceptable.
文法句型
call + [someone] + cracked
be + cracked
用法筆記
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.'
常見錯誤
3. informally describing a person, idea, or plan as silly, unreasonable, or amusing
informally describing a person, idea, or plan as silly, unreasonable, or amusingly strange, without the offensive overtones of sense 2
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
Rachid's idea to cycle across the desert seemed cracked to everyone in the office.
Otis must be cracked if he thinks I will lend him that much money.
- 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
- sensible
showing good judgment
- reasonable
fair and based on good sense
文法句型
[subject] + be + cracked
[subject] + sound + cracked
[subject] + seem + cracked
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
4. describing a voice that sounds rough, unsteady, or breaks suddenly, usually beca
describing a voice that sounds rough, unsteady, or breaks suddenly, usually because the speaker is upset or emotional rather than physically ill
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
The singer's voice went cracked during the emotional part of the song.
The old soldier spoke in a cracked whisper as he recalled the war.
文法句型
cracked + voice / whisper / tone
voice + be + cracked
voice + go + cracked
用法筆記
Typically describes emotion-driven voice changes — grief, nervousness, or intense joy — not hoarseness from illness. For a physically sore throat, use 'hoarse' instead.