What does "crescent" mean?
The figure of the moon as it appears between its first or last quarter and the new moon, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
Crescent
/ˈkɹɛ.zn̩t/ adj, name, noun, verb
adj, name, noun, verb ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The figure of the moon as it appears between its first or last quarter and the new moon, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
- Grammar: crescent is listed as adj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: achievement, alerion, alley, alleyway.
- Useful contrasts: gibbous, full moon, gibbosity.
- Usage evidence: The crescent moon and star is a symbol of Islam.
How to use "crescent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "crescent" 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 "crescent" 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 "crescent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "crescent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- 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 "crescent" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "achievement" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "crescent", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
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 The figure of the moon as it appears between its first or last quarter and the new moon, with concave and convex edges terminating in points.
- 2 any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters wordnet
- 3 Something shaped like a crescent, especially:; A curved pastry.
- 4 Something shaped like a crescent, especially:; A curved street, often presenting a continuous façade, as of row houses.
- 5 Something shaped like a crescent, especially:; A representation of a crescent, used as a symbol of Islam.
"The Turkish flag features a white star and crescent on red base."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 Something shaped like a crescent, especially:; The emblem of the waxing moon with horns directed upward, when used in a coat of arms; often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.
- 7 A crescent spanner. New-Zealand
- 8 Any of three orders of knighthood conferred upon foreigners to whom Turkey might be indebted for valuable services. historical
"Sebastiani receives publicly the Sultan's thanks, and is decorated with the Order of the Crescent"
- 9 A crescentspot butterfly.
Verb
- 1 To form a crescent shape transitive
"A dark wood crescents more than half the lawn"
- 2 To decorate with crescents. transitive
Adjective
- 1 marked by an increase; waxing, like the Moon. dated, not-comparable, rare
"For nature creſſant does not grovve alone / In thevvs and bulkes, but as this temple vvaxes, / The invvard ſervice of the minde and ſoule / Grovves vvide vvithal, […]"
- 2 Shaped like a crescent. not-comparable
"Astarte, queen of heaven, with crescent horns."
Adjective
- 1 resembling the new moon in shape wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A number of places in the United States:; A census-designated place in McIntosh County, Georgia.
- 2 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Latah County, Idaho.
- 3 A number of places in the United States:; A township in Iroquois County, Illinois.
- 4 A number of places in the United States:; A minor city and township in Pottawattamie County, Iowa.
- 5 A number of places in the United States:; A hamlet in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County, New York.
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Rowan County, North Carolina.
- 7 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Belmont County, Ohio.
- 8 A number of places in the United States:; A city in Logan County, Oklahoma.
- 9 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Klamath County, Oregon.
- 10 A number of places in the United States:; A township in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
- 11 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
- 12 A number of places in the United States:; A town in Oneida County, Wisconsin.
- 13 A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in the town of Arthur, Chippewa County, Wisconsin.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The crescent moon and star is a symbol of Islam."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "crescent"?
Common synonyms include: achievement, alerion, alley, alleyway, animal charge, annulet.
How do you use "crescent" in a sentence?
The crescent moon and star is a symbol of Islam.
How do you pronounce "crescent"?
Pronounced /ˈkɹɛ.zn̩t/.
Etymology
From Middle English cressaunt, from Anglo-Norman cressaunt and Old French creissant (“crescent of the moon”) (French croissant), from Latin crēscēns, present active participle of crēscō (“arise, thrive”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱreh₁- (“to grow”). See Old Armenian սերիմ (serim, “be born”) and սերեմ (serem, “bring forth”), Ancient Greek κόρη (kórē, “girl”) and κούρος (koúros, “boy”), Latin creāre (“produce, create, bring forth”) and Ceres (“goddess of agriculture”). Doublet of croissant. The pronunciation with /z/ is a comparatively recent innovation due to the influence of words such as pheasant and present.