crab: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal (for animal), informal/pejorative (for irritable person).
Quick answer
What does “crab” mean?
A sea creature with a broad, flat body covered by a hard shell, two large claws, and eight legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sea creature with a broad, flat body covered by a hard shell, two large claws, and eight legs.
A person who is irritable, ill-tempered, or complains a lot.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a noun for the animal, usage is identical. The verb 'to crab' (meaning to complain/grumble) is more common in American English. 'Crab' for an irritable person is understood in both, but possibly slightly more established in BrE.
Connotations
In culinary contexts, specific species names differ (e.g., Dungeness crab vs. brown crab). The idiom 'catch a crab' (rowing) is primarily British.
Frequency
High frequency for the animal in both. Metaphorical use is low-medium frequency in both.
Grammar
How to Use “crab” in a Sentence
N (as animal)V (to complain/move sideways)Adj (crabby)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crab” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Stop crabbing about the weather and enjoy the day.
- The car crabbed sideways on the icy road.
American English
- He's always crabbing about his boss.
- The truck crabbed into the tight parking spot.
adverb
British English
- He stared crabbily at the noisy children.
American English
- She answered crabbily when woken up.
adjective
British English
- He's in a really crabby mood this morning.
- She gave a crabby reply.
American English
- Don't be so crabby before your coffee.
- He left a crabby comment online.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'Crabs in a bucket mentality' can describe unhealthy internal competition.
Academic
Used in biology/zoology/marine studies.
Everyday
Common for food and describing a grumpy person.
Technical
Zoological classification (Brachyura).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crab”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crab”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crab”
- Incorrect plural: 'crabs' (correct).
- Confusing 'crab' (n) with 'crabby' (adj).
- Using 'crab' as a verb too formally.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and more common in American English. It means to complain or grumble peevishly.
Crabs have a broad, flattened body and a short tail curled under the thorax. Lobsters have a longer, cylindrical body and a large tail.
Rarely. As an animal or food, it's neutral/positive. As a description for a person ('crabby'), it is always negative.
It's a metaphor for a situation where if one person tries to improve or escape, others will pull them down out of jealousy or spite, ensuring no one succeeds.
A sea creature with a broad, flat body covered by a hard shell, two large claws, and eight legs.
Crab is usually neutral to informal (for animal), informal/pejorative (for irritable person). in register.
Crab: in British English it is pronounced /kræb/, and in American English it is pronounced /kræb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Catch a crab (rowing)”
- “Crabs in a bucket mentality”
- “Turn into a crab (become irritable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CRAB CRYing and being a BABy (CRAB) because it's so grumpy.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRUMPINESS/ILL-TEMPER IS A CRAB (moving sideways, snapping).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'catch a crab' primarily refer to?