craze

[kreyz]

verb (used with object)

crazed, crazing 

1. to derange or impair the mind of; make insane.

   He was crazed by jealousy.

2. to make small cracks on the surface of (a ceramic glaze, paint, or the like); crackle.

3. British Dialect.,  to crack.

4. Archaic.,  to weaken; impair.

   to craze one's health.

5. Obsolete.,  to break; shatter.

verb (used without object)

crazed, crazing 

1. to become insane; go mad.

2. to become minutely cracked, as a ceramic glaze; crackle.

3. Metallurgy.

   1. (of a case-hardened object) to develop reticulated surface markings; worm.

   2. (of an ingot) to develop an alligator skin as a result of being teemed into an old and worn mold.

4. Archaic.,  to fall to pieces; break.

noun

1. a popular or widespread fad, fashion, etc.; mania.

   the newest dance craze.

   Synonyms: mode, vogue

2. insanity; an insane condition.

3. a minute crack or pattern of cracks in the glaze of a ceramic object.

4. Obsolete.,  flaw; defect.

craze

/ kreɪz /

noun

1. a short-lived current fashion

2. a wild or exaggerated enthusiasm

   a craze for chestnuts

3. mental disturbance; insanity

verb

1. to make or become mad

2. ceramics metallurgy to develop or cause to develop a fine network of cracks

3. archaic,  (tr) to break

4. archaic,  (tr) to weaken

Word History and Origins

Origin of craze¹

1325–75; Middle English crasen to crush < Scandinavian; compare Swedish, Norwegian krasa to shatter, crush

Word History and Origins

Origin of craze¹

C14 (in the sense: to break, shatter): probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish krasa to shatter, ultimately of imitative origin

Example Sentences

He's not the only one - the worldwide matcha craze means supplies of the bright green Japanese tea are drying up and the demand is pushing up prices.

From BBC

The craze began two years ago after a high-desert wanderer noticed a telephone icon on a Mojave road map.

From Los Angeles Times

The AI craze has intensified in the ‘gold rush town’ of San Francisco, spreading through work and social life.

From Los Angeles Times

The AI craze has intensified in San Francisco, spreading through work and social life in what some have described as a new gold rush.

From Los Angeles Times

Cafeterias have gone retro chic now, but L.A.’s early cafeteria craze wasn’t ironic or hip.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• enthusiasm 
• fever 
• furor 
• mania 
• passion 
• rage 
• trend