Crank can mean to turn or twist something, especially a handle, knob, or wheel. It can also mean to make something work harder or faster, like “crank up the volume.”
In daily life, people use crank when talking about turning something by hand, like cranking a car engine, a window, or a machine. It is also used in casual speech for increasing something quickly, such as music, heat, or speed.
Meaning & Usage
Crank is often used as a verb. It means to turn something with effort, or to increase something a lot. For example, you can crank a handle, crank the music, or crank up the air conditioning.
Examples
“He cranked the old car engine until it started.”
“Can you crank up the radio?”
“She cranked the window open.”
Context / Common Use
People often use crank in everyday conversation, especially when they want to sound natural and informal. It is common with machines, music, heat, and other things that can be turned up or operated by hand.
What does “crank up” mean?
Crank up means to increase something, usually quickly or strongly. For example, “crank up the volume” means make the sound louder.
Is “crank” a formal word?
No, it is usually informal and common in everyday English.
Can “crank” be a noun?
Yes. A crank can also be a part of a machine that you turn by hand.
Leave a Reply