craw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareRegional/Archaic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “craw” mean?
The crop or stomach of a bird or insect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The crop or stomach of a bird or insect.
It can figuratively refer to a person's stomach, often implying a capacity for consumption or a source of resentment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. Possibly better preserved in some UK regional dialects (e.g., Scottish, Northern English).
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries rustic, archaic, or technical overtones.
Frequency
Extremely rare in standard modern English in both regions. Found in historical texts, dialect, and ornithology/entomology contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “craw” in a Sentence
stick in POSS-PRON crawVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “craw” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (No standard verbal use exists.)
American English
- (No standard verbal use exists.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial use exists.)
American English
- (No adverbial use exists.)
adjective
British English
- (No adjectival use exists.)
American English
- (No adjectival use exists.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical literature studies or specialized zoology texts.
Everyday
Rare except in the fixed idiom 'stick in my craw'.
Technical
Used in ornithology, entomology, and veterinary science as a synonym for 'crop'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “craw”
- Misspelling as 'craw' when meaning 'crow' (the bird).
- Using 'craw' in general conversation where 'stomach' or 'throat' is meant.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in modern standard English. It survives mainly in the idiom 'stick in one's craw' and in technical/regional contexts.
In ornithology, they are synonyms. 'Crop' is the standard modern term; 'craw' is archaic or dialectical.
It is almost exclusively used as a noun, often possessive: 'the bird's craw' or in the idiom: 'The unfairness of it stuck in her craw.'
It is informal and somewhat figurative/colourful. It expresses strong personal irritation or difficulty accepting something.
The crop or stomach of a bird or insect.
Craw: in British English it is pronounced /krɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /krɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stick in one's craw (meaning: to be difficult to accept or swallow)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a crow (sounds like 'craw') with a full CRAW after eating.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STOMACH/MIND IS A CONTAINER FOR IDEAS/EMOTIONS (e.g., something sticks in one's craw, meaning it is indigestible/unacceptable).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'craw' most likely to be used technically?