French Conversation · Level 163
30 words
French word
crisser
Pronunciation
IPA/kʁise/
Meaning
- verbscreech
Example
Les pneus crissent en freinant.
The tires screech when braking.
More examples
La porte crissait à cause des gonds rouillés.
The door was squeaking because of rusty hinges.
Core concept
Two rigid surfaces rubbing together and producing a high, abrasive squeal, like braking tires or a stiff door.
Common phrases
les pneus crissent
The tires squeal
les freins crissent
The brakes squeal
le parquet crisse
The floor creaks
Similar words
grincer: Produce a brief, harsh creak as two surfaces rub together.
craquer: Crack or split with a distinct snapping sound.
racler: Rub against a hard surface with a scraping noise.
Definition in French
Produire un bruit aigu et strident de frottement, émis par des surfaces qui se frottent ou glissent l'une contre l'autre.
Word origin
The sound-based French verb crisser imitates the noise it describes, while its final -er marks the regular infinitive form.
Usage tips
- Do not confuse crisser with crier: crisser describes a friction squeal, whereas crier means to shout or cry out.
Other meanings
- creakverb
- squeakverb
Related words
- crissementsquealnoun
- crissantsqueakyadjective