Crutch
/krʌtʃ/
nounverbB1
Definition
A crutch is a long stick with a padded top that people hold under their arms to help them walk if their leg or foot is hurt. As a verb, "to crutch" means to rely on something for support, often more than necessary.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
Physical support tool for walking
- •After his leg surgery, he used crutches for six weeks.
- •She leaned on her crutch to move around the house.
- •The doctor showed him how to use crutches safely.
To rely on something or someone too much (verb)
- •He tends to crutch on his friends when he faces problems.
- •Don’t crutch on excuses; try to solve the problem yourself.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crutch" like "help" (A1 word), but a special tool that supports you physically or emotionally
- ✓Picture someone with a broken leg walking with two sticks under their arms to keep balance
- ✓It's the feeling when you need extra help because you cannot do something alone
- ✓Sounds like "crutch" → imagine a small bridge (crutch) helping you cross a river when you can't walk on your own
- ✓In stories, characters use crutches when recovering from injury, showing they are healing but still need support
- ✓NOT like "cane" (one stick for balance), a crutch is longer and supports more weight under the arms
- ✓NOT like "help" (general aid), a crutch is physical support or sometimes an emotional or mental support you depend on too much
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Brace: a device that supports part of the body (Use when the support is fixed or worn on the body)
- •Aid: general help or assistance (Use when talking about help in many forms, not just physical)
- •Prop: something that holds up or supports (Use when the support is simple or temporary)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, root word "crutch")
- •Etymology: From Old English "cruc" or "crutch," meaning a staff or support
- •Historical development: Used since Middle Ages to mean a staff for support, later extended to emotional or figurative support
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for walking aids and figuratively for something people rely on too much
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can depending on a crutch sometimes stop people from becoming stronger? How?
•What kinds of "crutches" do people use in daily life besides physical ones?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.After breaking his leg, he had to use crutches ___ his injury healed.
2.People sometimes crutch ___ bad habits instead of trying to change.
3.A crutch provides ___ support when walking is difficult.
4.She didn’t want to crutch ___ others for help all the time.
5.Unlike a cane, a crutch supports ___ weight under the arms.
6.When someone crutches on excuses, they avoid ___ responsibility.
7.Using crutches can help a person recover, but relying on them too much can ___ independence.