Word

crush

noun C1

/kɹʌʃ/

Meanings

noun

a strong, often temporary romantic attraction to someone

verb

to press or squeeze something so it breaks, becomes flat, or loses its shape

verb

to defeat or stop something completely and decisively

Definition

A crush is a strong, usually brief romantic attraction to someone.

A crush is a powerful feeling of romantic interest in someone, often before you know them well. It is usually more emotional than logical and can be exciting, distracting, or embarrassing. The feeling may fade quickly or develop into a deeper relationship, but it often stays one-sided.

Examples

I had a crush on my colleague for months, but I kept it professional at work.
She confessed her crush to him after the concert, hoping he felt the same.
They realized their crush was mostly idealization once they started talking regularly.
He tried to crush the garlic with the side of a knife, but it slipped on the board.
The new manager moved quickly to crush the rumor before it spread across the office.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse "crush on" (romantic attraction) with "crush" meaning "destroy," so remember to use "have a crush on someone" for the relationship meaning.