Definition
Pleasantly firm, fresh, or clear — not soft, stale, or blurry. Used for food, air, sounds, or images.
Example
The crisp morning air made her feel wide awake.
Show translation
The pleasantly cool, fresh morning air made her feel wide awake.
Etymology
From Middle English *crisp*, from Old English *crisp* ("curly, wavy"), borrowed from Latin *crispus* ("curled, rippled"). The sense shifted from "curly-textured" to "firm and brittle" by the 16th century, and later broadened to anything sharp, clean, or refreshingly cool.
Cultural note
In British English, *crisps* (plural noun) are what Americans call potato chips — so "a bag of crisps" is a very common snack reference. Don't be confused when a British friend offers you crisps and hands you a foil packet, not a fresh apple! The adjective also appears in the idiom *crisp and clean*, often used in advertising to evoke freshness.