What does "craps" mean?
A game of gambling, or chance, where the players throw dice to make scores and avoid crap.
Craps
/kɹæps/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A game of gambling, or chance, where the players throw dice to make scores and avoid crap.
- Grammar: craps is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: bingo, bird cage, bones, card games.
- Useful contrasts: non gambling activity, non gambling game.
- Usage evidence: Elevens have to be timed well in craps.
How to use "craps"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "craps" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "craps" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "craps" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "craps" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A game of gambling, or chance, where the players throw dice to make scores and avoid crap. plural, plural-only
"“As an inventor,” Bob Mason suggested, “you're a howling success at shooting craps ! If I were as free of spavins, ringbone, saddle-galls, and splints as you are, I'd have that nanny-goat in here, hog-tie her, flop her and let the boy help himself. […]”"
- 2 plural of crap form-of, plural
- 3 a gambling game played with two dice; a first throw of 7 or 11 wins and a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses and a first throw of any other number must be repeated to win before a 7 is thrown, which loses the bet and the dice wordnet
- 4 (preceded by the) diarrhea slang, vulgar
- 5 expressions used when two dice are thrown and both come up showing one spot wordnet
Verb
- 1 third-person singular simple present indicative of crap form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
non gambling activitynon gambling game
Example
"Elevens have to be timed well in craps."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "craps"?
Common synonyms include: bingo, bird cage, bones, card games, casino game, cast.
How do you use "craps" in a sentence?
Elevens have to be timed well in craps.
How do you pronounce "craps"?
Pronounced /kɹæps/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Louisiana Creole craps, a corruption of English crabs.
Etymology 2
Plural of crap.
Etymology 3
Verb form of crap.