Meaning & use
crest
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Meanings
nouncountable
The top part of a hill, wave, or similar thing, especially its highest point.
Grammar: Countable; often used with 'the' when referring to a specific top: the crest of the hill.
Patterns
- the crest of something
- on the crest of a wave
We finally reached the crest of the hill and saw the whole valley below.
The surfer balanced on the crest of a huge wave.
The sun rose just above the crest of the mountains.
nouncountable
A group of feathers standing up on a bird's head, or a similar growth on an animal.
Grammar: Countable; often used to describe birds like the cardinal.
Patterns
- a bird's crest
- a crest of feathers
The male cardinal has a bright red crest on its head.
The crest of the cockatoo stood up when it was excited.
nouncountable
A design or symbol used by a family, school, or organization as an emblem.
Grammar: Countable; often appears on uniforms, flags, or stationery.
Patterns
- a family crest
- a school crest
- on the crest
The school crest is printed on all the students' blazers.
He has a ring with his family crest on it.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To reach the highest point or level before starting to go down.
Grammar: Can be used with an object (crest a hill) or without (the river crested).
Patterns
- crest a hill
- the river crested
- crest at something
The flood waters crested at noon and then began to fall.
The hikers crested the ridge and stopped to rest.
Word forms
| plural | crests |
|---|---|
| third person singular | crests |
| past tense | crested |
| past participle | crested |
| -ing form | cresting |
Common combinations
- crest of a wave
- The boat rose to the crest of a wave and then dropped sharply.
- crest of a hill
- There is a small bench at the crest of the hill.
- family crest
- The old silver spoon was engraved with a family crest.
- on the crest of a wave
- The company is on the crest of a wave of new technology.
Synonyms and how they differ
- top
- More general and can refer to any highest part; 'crest' is more specific to hills, waves, or heads.
- peak
- Often used for mountains or graphs; 'crest' is common for waves and hills.
- summit
- Usually means the very top of a mountain; 'crest' can be any high point, not necessarily the highest.
Opposites
Word family
- crested adjective
- Having a crest, as in a crested bird.
- cresting noun
- A decorative ridge on a roof or wall.
Commonly confused: crest or crestfallen?
crest vs crestfallen
Means sad and disappointed; it is not related to the top of a hill or wave.
Practice
The hikers finally reached the _____ of the mountain and enjoyed the view.
Choose one answer.
The noun 'crest' fits because it means the top of a hill or mountain. 'Crestfallen' is an adjective meaning sad, 'crested' is an adjective meaning having a crest, and 'cresting' is a noun for a roof decoration.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “crest”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.