nutcracker

Elementary (A2)

IPA: /ˈnʌtˌkrækər/

KK: /ˈnʌtˌkrækər/

noun

Definition

A tool used to break open the hard shell of nuts so that the edible part inside can be eaten.

Example

She used a nutcracker to open the walnuts for the pie.

Conversation

I just bought a new nutcracker for the holidays.

Oh nice! Does it work well?

Yeah, it makes cracking nuts so much easier.

That's great to hear! I need one like that for my kitchen.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

cracker

tool

implement

Antonyms

uncracked

whole

intact

Root Explanation

Nutcracker → It is formed from "nut" (from Old English *cyning*, meaning a hard-shelled fruit) and "cracker" (from the verb "crack" which means to break). The word "nutcracker" refers to a tool designed to break open the hard shell of a nut.

Memory Tip

Think of a tool that 'breaks' ('cracker') the hard shell of a 'nut' — that's why a nutcracker is used to open nuts.

Visually Confused Words

tracker