a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers, a crustacean with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first pair of which are modified as pincers, a sour or bad-tempered person, especially an old one

crab mentality, go sideways like a crab, walk sideways like a crab

catch a crab, crab apple, crab walk

Formal and Informal Expressions of crab

In different contexts, you can replace 'crab' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'crustacean' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'shellfish, critter' is a commonplace synonym.

crab: Explore its Definition & Usage

crab Definition

1a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers
2a crustacean with a broad carapace, stalked eyes, and five pairs of legs, the first pair of which are modified as pincers
3a sour or bad-tempered person, especially an old one

Using crab: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "crab" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
I love eating crab legs.
Example
The beach was full of crabs scurrying around.
Example
He's such a crab in the morning.
Example
She's always crabbing about something.

crab Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for crab

Idioms Using crab

crab mentality
a way of thinking where people try to bring others down or prevent them from achieving success, often due to jealousy or resentment
Example
The team suffered from crab mentality, with each member trying to sabotage the others' work.
go sideways like a crab
to go off course or become disorganized
Example
The project went sideways like a crab when the team leader quit.
walk sideways like a crab
to move in a sideways direction, often awkwardly or with difficulty
Example
He had to walk sideways like a crab to fit through the narrow doorway.

Phrases with crab

catch a crab
to make a mistake while rowing, so that the oar is pulled into the water and slows the boat down
Example
He caught a crab and nearly fell out of the boat.
crab apple
a small, sour apple used for making jelly or cider
Example
She made a delicious crab apple pie for dessert.
crab walk
a type of exercise where you walk on your hands and feet with your stomach facing upwards
Example
The fitness instructor had us do crab walks across the gym floor.

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Summary: crab in Brief

A 'crab' [kræb] is a sea creature with a flat round body covered by a shell, and five pairs of legs, the first of which are modified as pincers. It can also refer to a sour or bad-tempered person. The term extends into phrases like 'catch a crab,' referring to a rowing mistake, and idioms like 'crab mentality,' denoting a negative mindset. 'Crab' has informal synonyms like 'shellfish' and 'critter.'