crick: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal
Quick answer
What does “crick” mean?
a painful, sudden stiffness or cramp in a muscle, especially in the neck or back.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a painful, sudden stiffness or cramp in a muscle, especially in the neck or back.
A sharp, sudden strain or sprain of a muscle causing discomfort and limited movement. Informally, any small but nagging muscular pain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though slightly more common in British English. In American English, it can sound slightly dated or regional.
Connotations
Informal, everyday, sometimes evokes a sense of minor, frustrating discomfort.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in spoken English; rare in formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “crick” in a Sentence
have a crick in [body part]get a crick in [body part]woke up with a crick in [body part]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crick” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- I've got a proper crick in my neck from looking down at my phone all day.
- He slept on the sofa and woke up with a crick in his back.
American English
- I got a crick in my neck from watching the game on that awkward TV angle.
- She turned her head too quickly and felt a sharp crick.
verb
British English
- Be careful you don't crick your neck lifting that.
- I think I've cricked my shoulder.
American English
- I cricked my back moving the furniture.
- He cricked his neck during the yoga class.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used informally: 'Can't turn my head for this meeting; I've got a crick in my neck.'
Academic
Very rare. Would use 'muscle spasm' or 'acute musculoskeletal pain'.
Everyday
Common for describing minor, sudden neck/back pain from poor posture or sleeping awkwardly.
Technical
Not used. Medical terms: 'acute torticollis', 'muscle strain'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crick”
- Using 'crick' for serious injuries (use 'strain' or 'sprain').
- Spelling as 'cricket' (which is the sport/insect).
- Using it as a verb ('I cricked my neck' is acceptable but less common than 'I got a crick').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, everyday word. Medical professionals would use terms like 'acute torticollis' or 'muscle strain'.
Yes, though less common than the noun form. 'To crick' means to cause a crick in a body part (e.g., 'I cricked my neck').
A 'cramp' is a painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle, often in the leg. A 'crick' is a sudden stiffness or strain, often in the neck or back, and is not necessarily a sustained contraction.
They are often used interchangeably for neck/back pain. 'Kink' can also mean a bend or curl in something like a hose, while 'crick' is almost exclusively for muscular discomfort.
a painful, sudden stiffness or cramp in a muscle, especially in the neck or back.
Crick: in British English it is pronounced /krɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /krɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A crick in one's neck (a specific, common instance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'crick' – it sounds like a small, sharp crack or creak, which is what your neck might do when you have one.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (you 'get' or 'have' a crick) / THE BODY IS A MACHINE THAT CREAKS (crick as a sound of malfunction).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most typical use of 'crick'?