Crack vs. Fissure — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 7, 2023
A "Crack" is a break or fracture without complete separation, while a "Fissure" is a long, narrow opening or line of breakage often deeper or more extended.
Difference Between Crack and Fissure
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Crack" and "Fissure" are terms that describe breaks or separations in materials or surfaces. A "Crack" typically refers to a break or split that doesn't result in complete separation of the parts. It's often seen in walls, ceramics, or any other surface where there's a linear break without a total parting of the materials. On the other hand, a "Fissure" often has the implication of being more extended and deeper than a simple crack.
In the context of geology, the distinction is particularly vital. "Crack" could refer to a small split on a rock's surface due to external forces or natural deterioration. "Fissure," however, often refers to large splits in the earth's crust or between rocks, sometimes caused by volcanic activity or tectonic movements. These can even become pathways for lava during volcanic eruptions.
In the medical field, both terms also find application. A "Crack" could refer to a minor bone fracture, whereas a "Fissure" might describe a long, narrow opening in the skin or between bones. For instance, an anal fissure would refer to a tear in the lining of the anus, which is more specific than merely stating a crack.
Both "Crack" and "Fissure" signify some form of breakage or separation, but their specificities differ. While cracks can be shallow and superficial, fissures usually denote depth and length. Understanding the distinction helps in appropriate usage, especially in technical or professional contexts.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A break without complete separation.
A long, narrow opening or line of breakage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Depth
Generally shallow.
Typically deeper.
Length
Can be short or long.
Often longer.
Example (Geology)
A minor split on a rock surface.
A large split in the earth's crust.
Example (Medical)
A minor bone fracture.
A tear in the lining of an organ.
Compare with Definitions
Crack
Crack is a break without full separation.
There's a crack in the vase.
Fissure
Fissure is a long, narrow split or crack.
The earthquake caused a fissure in the road.
Crack
Crack can refer to a sudden sharp noise.
I heard the crack of thunder.
Fissure
Fissure also denotes volcanic activity paths.
Lava emerged from the fissure during the eruption.
Crack
Crack might denote a weak point.
The crack in their defense was evident.
Fissure
Fissure can refer to a separation or disagreement.
A fissure between the two allies became evident.
Crack
Crack can mean an attempt or opportunity.
Give it a crack and see if it works.
Fissure
Fissure can signify a breach in relations.
The treaty's failure created a fissure in diplomatic ties.
Crack
Crack can also refer to a potent form of cocaine.
The city has been battling crack addiction for years.
Fissure
Fissure might mean an anatomical groove.
The orbital fissure is found in the skull.
Crack
To break without complete separation of parts
The mirror cracked.
Fissure
In anatomy, a fissure (Latin fissura, plural fissurae) is a groove, natural division, deep furrow, elongated cleft, or tear in various parts of the body. It is also generally called a sulcus, but this term can also reffer specifically to the analagous brain structure.
Crack
To break or snap apart
The branch cracked off and fell.
Fissure
A long narrow opening; a crack or cleft.
Crack
To make a sharp snapping sound
His knees cracked as he sat down.
Fissure
The process of splitting or separating; division.
Crack
To break down; fail
The defendant's composure finally began to crack.
Fissure
A separation into subgroups or factions; a schism.
Crack
To have a mental or physical breakdown
Cracked under the pressure.
Fissure
(Anatomy) A normal groove or furrow, as in the liver or brain, that divides an organ into lobes or parts.
Crack
To change sharply in pitch or timbre, as from hoarseness or emotion. Used of the voice.
Fissure
(Medicine) A break in the skin, usually where it joins a mucous membrane, producing a cracklike sore or ulcer.
Crack
To move or go rapidly
Was cracking along at 70 miles an hour.
Fissure
To form a crack or cleft or cause a crack or cleft in.
Crack
(Chemistry) To break into simpler molecules, often by means of heat or a catalyst.
Fissure
A long, narrow crack or opening made by breaking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.
Crack
To cause to break without complete separation of parts
The pebble cracked the car's windshield.
Fissure
(anatomy) A groove, deep furrow, elongated cleft or tear between body parts or in the substance of an organ; a sulcus.
Crack
To cause to break with a sharp snapping sound
Crack nuts.
Fissure
(anatomy) A break or slit in tissue usually at the junction of skin and mucous membrane.
Crack
To crush (corn or wheat, for example) into small pieces.
Fissure
A state of incompatibility or disagreement.
Crack
To strike, especially with a sharp sound
Cracked the intruder over the head with a lamp.
Fissure
To split, forming fissures.
Crack
To cause to come into forceful contact with something, especially with a sharp sound
Fell and cracked his head against the floor.
Fissure
A narrow opening, made by the parting of any substance; a cleft; as, the fissure of a rock.
Crack
To open to a slight extent
Crack a window to let in some air.
Fissure
To cleave; to divide; to crack or fracture.
Crack
To break open or into
Crack a safe.
Fissure
A long narrow depression in a surface
Crack
To open up for use or consumption
Crack a book.
Cracked a beer.
Fissure
A long narrow opening
Crack
To break through (an obstacle) in order to win acceptance or acknowledgment
Finally cracked the "men-only" rule at the club.
Fissure
(anatomy) a long narrow slit or groove that divides an organ into lobes
Crack
To discover the solution to, especially after considerable effort
Crack a code.
Fissure
Break into fissures or fine cracks
Crack
To cause (the voice) to crack.
Crack
(Informal) To tell (a joke), especially on impulse or in an effective manner.
Crack
To cause to have a mental or physical breakdown.
Crack
To impair or destroy
Their rude remarks cracked his equanimity.
Crack
To reduce (petroleum) to simpler compounds by cracking.
Crack
A partial split or break; a fissure
Cracks in the basement wall.
Crack
A slight narrow space
The window was open a crack.
Crack
(Informal) The fissure between the buttocks.
Crack
A defect or flaw
Cracks in the argument.
A crack in his composure.
Crack
A sharp snapping sound, such as the report of a firearm.
Crack
A sharp resounding blow
Gave him a crack on the head.
Crack
A breaking, harshly dissonant vocal tone or sound, as in hoarseness.
Crack
An attempt or try
Gave him a crack at the job.
Took a crack at photography.
Crack
A witty or sarcastic remark.
Crack
A moment; an instant
At the crack of dawn.
Crack
(Irish) Fun had when socializing; social amusement.
Crack
(Slang) Crack cocaine.
Crack
Excelling in skill or achievement; first-rate
A crack shot.
A crack tennis player.
Crack
(intransitive) To form cracks.
It's been so dry, the ground is starting to crack.
Crack
(intransitive) To break apart under force, stress, or pressure.
When I tried to stand on the chair, it cracked.
Crack
(intransitive) To become debilitated by psychological pressure.
Anyone would crack after being hounded like that.
Crack
(intransitive) To break down or yield, especially under interrogation or torture.
When we showed him the pictures of the murder scene, he cracked.
Crack
(intransitive) To make a cracking sound.
The bat cracked with authority and the ball went for six.
Crack
To change rapidly in register.
His voice cracked with emotion.
Crack
To alternate between high and low register in the process of eventually lowering.
His voice finally cracked when he was fourteen.
Crack
(intransitive) To make a sharply humorous comment.
"I would too, with a face like that," she cracked.
Crack
To realize that one is transgender.
She cracked at age 22 and came out to her friends and family over the next few months.
Crack
(transitive) To make a crack or cracks in.
The ball cracked the window.
Crack
(transitive) To break open or crush to small pieces by impact or stress.
You'll need a hammer to crack a black walnut.
Crack
(transitive) To strike forcefully.
She cracked him over the head with her handbag.
Crack
(transitive) To open slightly.
Could you please crack the window?
Crack
To cause to yield under interrogation or other pressure.
They managed to crack him on the third day.
Crack
To solve a difficult problem.
I've finally cracked it, and of course the answer is obvious in hindsight.
Crack
(transitive) To overcome a security system or component.
It took a minute to crack the lock, three minutes to crack the security system, and about twenty minutes to crack the safe.
They finally cracked the code.
Crack
(transitive) To cause to make a sharp sound.
To crack a whip
Crack
(transitive) To tell (a joke).
The performance was fine until he cracked that dead baby joke.
Crack
To break down (a complex molecule), especially with the application of heat: to pyrolyse.
Acetone is cracked to ketene and methane at 700°C.
Crack
To circumvent software restrictions such as regional coding or time limits.
That software licence will expire tomorrow unless we can crack it.
Crack
To open a canned beverage, or any packaged drink or food.
I'd love to crack open a beer.
Let's crack a tube and watch the game.
Crack
(obsolete) To brag; to boast.
Crack
To be ruined or impaired; to fail.
Crack
(colloquial) To barely reach, attain to (a measurement, extent).
An underground band that never cracked the Hot 100
Crack
A thin and usually jagged space opened in a previously solid material.
A large crack had formed in the roadway.
Crack
A narrow opening.
We managed to squeeze through a crack in the rock wall.
Open the door a crack.
Crack
A sharply humorous comment; a wisecrack.
I didn't appreciate that crack about my hairstyle.
Crack
(slang) Crack cocaine, a potent, relatively cheap, addictive variety of cocaine; often a rock, usually smoked through a crack-pipe.
Crack head
Crack
Something good-tasting or habit-forming.
Crack
(onomatopoeia) The sharp sound made when solid material breaks.
The crack of the falling branch could be heard for miles.
Crack
(onomatopoeia) Any sharp sound.
The crack of the bat hitting the ball.
Crack
A sharp, resounding blow.
Crack
(informal) An attempt at something.
I'd like to take a crack at that game.
Crack
Vagina.
Crack
(informal) The space between the buttocks.
Pull up your pants! Your crack is showing.
Crack
Conviviality; fun; good conversation, chat, gossip, or humorous storytelling; good company.
The party was great crack.
Crack
Business; events; news.
What's the crack?
What's this crack about a possible merger?
Crack
(computing) A program or procedure designed to circumvent restrictions or usage limits on software.
Has anyone got a crack for DocumentWriter 3.0?
Crack
An expanding circle of white water surrounding the site of a large explosion at shallow depth, marking the progress of the shock wave through the air above the water.A nuclear explosion in shallow water; the crack is clearly visible on the water's surface.
Crack
A meaningful chat.
Crack
(Internet slang) Extremely silly, absurd or off-the-wall ideas or prose.
Crack
The tone of voice when changed at puberty.
Crack
(archaic) A mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity.
He has a crack.
Crack
(archaic) A crazy or crack-brained person.
Crack
(obsolete) A boast; boasting.
Crack
(obsolete) Breach of chastity.
Crack
(obsolete) A boy, generally a pert, lively boy.
Crack
A brief time; an instant; a jiffy.
I'll be with you in a crack.
Crack
(obsolete) One who excels; the best.
Crack
Highly trained and competent.
Even a crack team of investigators would have trouble solving this case.
Crack
Excellent, first-rate, superior, top-notch.
She's a crack shot with that rifle.
Crack
To break or burst, with or without entire separation of the parts; as, to crack glass; to crack nuts.
Crack
To rend with grief or pain; to affect deeply with sorrow; hence, to disorder; to distract; to craze.
O, madam, my old heart is cracked.
He thought none poets till their brains were cracked.
Crack
To cause to sound suddenly and sharply; to snap; as, to crack a whip.
Crack
To utter smartly and sententiously; as, to crack a joke.
Crack
To cry up; to extol; - followed by up.
Crack
To burst or open in chinks; to break, with or without quite separating into parts.
By misfortune it cracked in the coling.
The mirror cracked from side to side.
Crack
To be ruined or impaired; to fail.
The credit . . . of exchequers cracks, when little comes in and much goes out.
Crack
To utter a loud or sharp, sudden sound.
As thunder when the clouds in autumn crack.
Crack
To utter vain, pompous words; to brag; to boast; - with of.
Ethoipes of their sweet complexion crack.
Crack
A partial separation of parts, with or without a perceptible opening; a chink or fissure; a narrow breach; a crevice; as, a crack in timber, or in a wall, or in glass.
Crack
Rupture; flaw; breach, in a moral sense.
My love to thee is sound, sans crack or flaw.
Crack
A sharp, sudden sound or report; the sound of anything suddenly burst or broken; as, the crack of a falling house; the crack of thunder; the crack of a whip.
Will the stretch out to the crack of doom?
Crack
The tone of voice when changed at puberty.
Though now our voicesHave got the mannish crack.
Crack
Mental flaw; a touch of craziness; partial insanity; as, he has a crack.
Crack
A crazy or crack-brained person.
I . . . can not get the Parliament to listen to me, who look upon me as a crack and a projector.
Crack
A boast; boasting.
Crack
Breach of chastity.
Crack
A boy, generally a pert, lively boy.
Val. 'T is a noble child. Vir. A crack, madam.
Crack
A brief time; an instant; as, to be with one in a crack.
Crack
Free conversation; friendly chat.
What is crack in English? . . . A crack is . . . a chat with a good, kindly human heart in it.
Crack
A witty remark; a wisecrack.
Crack
A chance or opportunity to do something; an attempt; as, I'll take a crack at it.
Crack
A form of cocaine, highly purified and prepared as small pellets, especially suitable for smoking; - also called rock. Used in this form it appears to be more addicting than cocaine powder.
Crack
Of superior excellence; having qualities to be boasted of; as, a crack shot.
One of our crack speakers in the Commons.
Crack
A long narrow opening
Crack
A narrow opening;
He opened the window a crack
Crack
A long narrow depression in a surface
Crack
A sudden sharp noise;
The crack of a whip
He heard the cracking of the ice
He can hear the snap of a twig
Crack
A chance to do something;
He wanted a shot at the champion
Crack
Witty remark
Crack
A blemish resulting from a break without complete separation of the parts;
There was a crack in the mirror
Crack
A purified and potent form of cocaine that is smoked rather than snorted
Crack
A usually brief attempt;
He took a crack at it
I gave it a whirl
Crack
The act of cracking something
Crack
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only;
The glass cracked when it was heated
Crack
Make a very sharp explosive sound;
His gun cracked
Crack
Make a sharp sound;
His fingers snapped
Crack
Hit forcefully; deal a hard blow, making a cracking noise;
The teacher cracked him across the face with a ruler
Crack
Pass through (a barrier);
Registrations cracked through the 30,000 mark in the county
Crack
Break partially but keep its integrity;
The glass cracked
Crack
Break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension;
The rope snapped
Crack
Suffer a nervous breakdown
Crack
Tell spontaneously;
Crack a joke
Crack
Cause to become cracked;
Heat and light cracked the back of the leather chair
Crack
Reduce (petroleum) to a simpler compound by cracking
Crack
Break into simpler molecules by means of heat;
The petroleum cracked
Crack
Of the highest quality;
An ace reporter
A crack shot
A first-rate golfer
A super party
Played top-notch tennis
An athlete in tiptop condition
She is absolutely tops
Common Curiosities
Can crack and fissure be used interchangeably?
While similar, they have nuances, so context matters.
Is a fissure deeper than a crack?
Typically, a fissure implies more depth than a crack.
Can a crack be heard?
Yes, like the crack of a whip or breaking wood.
Can a crack lead to a complete break?
Yes, if pressure continues or it's not repaired.
Is a crack only in solids?
Primarily, but it can metaphorically apply elsewhere.
Is a fissure wider than a crack?
It can be, but it's more about depth and length.
Is a fissure always geological?
No, it can also refer to anatomy or breaks in relations.
Is every crack a sign of weakness?
Not always, but it can indicate wear or stress.
Is a fissure always straight?
Not necessarily, it can be irregular.
Are cracks always visible to the naked eye?
No, some are microscopic or hidden.
Are fissures found in the human body?
Yes, like in the form of anatomical grooves.
How is a fissure related to volcanoes?
Fissures can be pathways for lava during eruptions.
Can fissures be man-made?
Yes, in mining or construction, for instance.
Can weather cause both cracks and fissures?
Yes, elements like rain or temperature changes can.
Does a crack always need fixing?
It depends on the severity and the context.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Frequency vs. Wavelength
Next Comparison
Democratic vs. RepublicanAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
