crickets means used alone or in metaphorically descriptive phrases: absolute silence where meaningful sound is expected; lack of response; no communication. It carries an Arena rating of 1513, earned across 4 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, crickets ranks #1,974 of 17,052 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,382 of 17,052 for Most Vivid Words, #2,513 of 17,052 for Most Incisive Words, #2,692 of 17,052 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
crickets is pronounced /ˈkɹɪk.ɪts/.
Why “crickets” is a great word
The conspicuous, awkward silence that follows an unsuccessful joke, an unanswered question, or any statement that fails to elicit its expected response. From the cinematic metaphor of chirping crickets heard at night, signaling an otherwise complete and awkward quiet; the figurative usage is attested from 20th-century show business. Unlike 'silence,' which denotes a general absence of sound, or a 'hush,' which suggests a deliberate and often respectful quiet, crickets signal a specific, deflating void charged with discomfort. It is the comedian's punchline landing flat in a sold-out hall, the question hanging in air while every eye finds somewhere else to look, the hollow pause after a plea that goes unanswered—the audible weight of disappointment, the small hum of nothing where something was promised.
Etymology
Sense 2 is derived from the cinematic metaphor of chirping crickets at night, signaling (otherwise) complete quiet.
noun
- Used alone or in metaphorically descriptive phrases: absolute silence where meaningful sound is expected; lack of response; no communication.e.g.“to hear crickets”
intj
- Expressing mild annoyance or surprise.
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