crisper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “crisper” mean?
A compartment within a refrigerator designed to keep fruits and vegetables fresh by maintaining higher humidity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A compartment within a refrigerator designed to keep fruits and vegetables fresh by maintaining higher humidity.
An appliance or container used specifically to keep foods like lettuce, celery, or herbs crisp. Also used metaphorically to describe something that makes a person feel more alert or invigorated, e.g., 'the cold air was a crisper'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties. In the UK, the term 'salad drawer' or 'vegetable drawer' is a common alternative. In the US, 'crisper' is the dominant term.
Connotations
Neutral and functional. No significant difference in connotation between varieties.
Frequency
More frequent in American English. In British English, alternative terms are equally or more common in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “crisper” in a Sentence
the crisper of the fridgecrisper for vegetablesput something in the crisperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crisper” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- This winter morning was crisper than yesterday.
- She preferred crisper bacon.
American English
- The autumn air grew crisper every day.
- He likes his french fries crisper.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In appliance retail or manufacturing specifications, e.g., 'This model features two humidity-controlled crispers.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in studies on food preservation, domestic technology, or sustainable living.
Everyday
Common in domestic contexts, cooking instructions, and shopping for appliances. E.g., 'The carrots are in the crisper.'
Technical
Used in appliance manuals and engineering to describe a specific humidity-controlled storage compartment.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crisper”
- Using 'crisper' as a standard adjective (e.g., 'This chip is crisper' – correct comparative form of 'crisp', but different word class). Confusing it with the brand name 'Crispa'. Spelling as 'crisper' when referring to the comparative adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. While standalone 'crisper' containers exist, the term overwhelmingly refers to the compartment within a fridge.
They are essentially the same thing. 'Hydrator' is a more technical term emphasizing its function of maintaining humidity to prevent dehydration.
Yes, but it is the comparative form of the adjective 'crisp' (e.g., crisper bacon). This is a different lexical entry from the noun 'crisper' (the drawer).
Adjustable vents control humidity. Opening them lowers humidity for fruits that emit ethylene gas, closing them raises humidity for leafy vegetables that wilt easily.
A compartment within a refrigerator designed to keep fruits and vegetables fresh by maintaining higher humidity.
Crisper is usually standard neutral in register.
Crisper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪspə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪspər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Life's a crisper (very rare, jocular/metaphorical for 'full of fresh possibilities')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound of a crisp apple or celery stick. The CRISPer keeps your food CRISP.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR FRESHNESS (The crisper is a bounded space that preserves a desired quality).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a 'crisper' in a refrigerator?