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to crepitate

to crepitate

9.9
Make a crackling or popping sound like burning wood
  • verb
  • /ˈkrɛpɪˌteɪt/
translation icon : crepitar
  • Dried leaves crepitate underfoot as you walk through the autumn woods.

Examples

  • The fire began to crepitate as the new logs were added to the flames.

  • During the exam, the doctor noticed the patient's joints would crepitate when moved.

  • The fire crepitated softly in the quiet night.

  • I love to hear the leaves crepitating under my feet.

  • The fire began to crepitate as the new logs were added to the flames.

  • Dried leaves crepitate underfoot as you walk through the autumn woods.

  • The fire crepitated softly in the quiet night.

Synonyms

to pop
vsto crepitate
90 3.2

To make a short sharp sound, for example when a balloon bursts

covers both sudden pops and ongoing crackling from rubbing or burning
to crackle
vsto crepitate
33 2.8

To make short, sharp popping sounds

is the same noise but typically linked to burning or friction
to sizzle
vsto crepitate
25 3.7

To make a hissing, crackling sound when hot, as in frying

focuses on crackling and popping sounds without stressing hissing
to rustle
vsto crepitate
22 3.2

To make a soft, dry sound when leaves or paper move together

is similar but usually comes from burning or friction rather than dry movement
to decrepitate
vsto crepitate
  • Specialized
9.9

To make small, loud cracks or pops when heated, like salts and minerals

is broader, describing similar sounds from burning or friction generally
to phut
vsto crepitate
9.9

To make a soft, short popping sound

includes louder or more continuous crackling, not only soft quiet pops
to scroop
vsto crepitate
  • UK
9.9

To make a crisp rustling sound when fabric moves

is about crackling or popping sounds rather than fabric creaks or rustles

How Crackling

to rattle
151 2.2
to crepitate
9.9
to crackle
33 2.8
rustle
12 4.4

Surface Forms

crepitate infinitive
crepitated past
crepitated past participle
crepitating present participle
crepitates third person singular

Morphology

crepitate = crepit + ate

The verb is borrowed from Latin (crepit- + -ate); the root 'crepit' is not a productive standalone English base, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from English component parts.

Etymology

Crepitate comes from the old Latin verb crepitare, which meant 'to rattle' or 'to make a sharp noise'. So crepitate is a word for 'to crackle' or 'to pop', like dry leaves when you walk or a fire that makes many small sharp sounds.