crackerjack
1 of 2noun
crack·er·jack ˈkra-kər-ˌjak 
variants or less commonly crackajack
ˈkra-kə-ˌjak
: a person or thing of marked excellence
crackerjack adjective
Cracker Jack
2 of 2trademark
Crack·er Jack ˈkra-kər-ˌjak
—used for a candied popcorn confection
Synonyms
Noun
- ace
- adept
- artist
- authority
- cognoscente
- connoisseur
- dab [chiefly British]
- dab hand [chiefly British]
- expert
- fiend
- geek
- guru
- hand
- hotshot
- maestro
- master
- maven
- mavin
- meister
- past master
- proficient
- scholar
- shark
- sharp
- virtuoso
- whiz
- wizard
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun a young prospect who's supposed to be a crackerjack on the baseball diamond the cheese maker's aged cheddar is a real crackerjack
Recent Examples on the Web
Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 June 2022 When sober, Sheean was a fearless crackerjack reporter. Edward Kosner, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022 This crackerjack of a novel, published on 195 pages of poor-quality paper—in conformity with the pinched standards of postwar Britain—was an instant bestseller. Rachel Johnson, WSJ, 21 Jan. 2022 Forbes put its crackerjack team of fictional wealth investigators to the task of calculating Logan Roy’s net worth, estimated at roughly $18 billion. Lisette Voytko, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2021 And a crackerjack team that mixes new and familiar faces. New York Times, 29 Sep. 2021 Criminals hijack a New York City subway train and hold its passengers for a million-dollar ransom in director Joseph Sargent’s crackerjack 1974 thriller starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2021 Director Kari Ringer, who also musical directed, has assembled a crackerjack cast; not easy when her performers have to act, sing, proficiently play their instruments and essentially impersonate iconic figures — but not in a cheesy or ironic way. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 8 Mar. 2021 All of the four lead actors in King’s crackerjack ensemble get multiple chances to feast on such brilliant dialogue, and all of them make the most of it. Mike Scott, NOLA.com, 18 Jan. 2021 See More
Noun
But here, too, Richardson regularly makes funny scenes funnier with a silent squint of bafflement or a comment muttered under his breath with crackerjack comic timing. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 June 2022 When sober, Sheean was a fearless crackerjack reporter. Edward Kosner, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2022 This crackerjack of a novel, published on 195 pages of poor-quality paper—in conformity with the pinched standards of postwar Britain—was an instant bestseller. Rachel Johnson, WSJ, 21 Jan. 2022 Forbes put its crackerjack team of fictional wealth investigators to the task of calculating Logan Roy’s net worth, estimated at roughly $18 billion. Lisette Voytko, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2021 And a crackerjack team that mixes new and familiar faces. New York Times, 29 Sep. 2021 Criminals hijack a New York City subway train and hold its passengers for a million-dollar ransom in director Joseph Sargent’s crackerjack 1974 thriller starring Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2021 Director Kari Ringer, who also musical directed, has assembled a crackerjack cast; not easy when her performers have to act, sing, proficiently play their instruments and essentially impersonate iconic figures — but not in a cheesy or ironic way. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 8 Mar. 2021 All of the four lead actors in King’s crackerjack ensemble get multiple chances to feast on such brilliant dialogue, and all of them make the most of it. Mike Scott, NOLA.com, 18 Jan. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
probably alteration of crack entry 3 + jack (man)
First Known Use
Noun
1893, in the meaning defined above
crackerjack 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in skillful
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor a crackerjack photographer who gets the news photo that is reprinted around the world Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- skillful
- skilled
- expert
- adept
- proficient
- experienced
- good
- virtuoso
- masterful
- great
- veteran
- talented
- ace
- gifted
- master
- accomplished
- consummate
- masterly
- practiced
- educated
- crack
- complete
- versed
- adroit
- competent
- compleat
- capable
- professed
- clever
- trained
- deft
- qualified
- slick
- dexterous
- efficient
- handy
- polished
- workmanlike
- effective
- practised
- old
- sure-handed
- employable
- knowledgeable
- refined
- dextrous
- schooled
- fitted
- fit
- able
- taught
- effectual
- all-round
- all-around
- multitalented
- well-rounded
- multiskilled
- tutored
- habile
- long-term
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amateur
- inexperienced
- inexpert
- incompetent
- unskilled
- unseasoned
- inept
- amateurish
- weak
- unqualified
- incapable
- unprofessional
- artless
- unskillful
- crude
- jackleg
- unfit
- new
- unable
- ineffective
- ineffectual
- inefficient
- unfitted
- rude
- untrained
- beginning
- inexperienced
- green
- unschooled
- untutored
- ignorant
- raw
- unseasoned
- untalented
- primitive
- untaught
- ungifted
- untried
- rough
- unpolished
- clumsy
- talentless
- untested
- would-be
- awkward
- ham-fisted
- ham-handed
- heavy-handed
2
as in excellent
of the very best kind a crackerjack book on the history of rock music Synonyms & Similar Words
- excellent
- terrific
- superb
- wonderful
- great
- stellar
- awesome
- lovely
- fabulous
- fantastic
- beautiful
- marvelous
- prime
- fine
- hot
- quality
- classic
- slick
- marvellous
- famous
- superlative
- dynamite
- neat
- sterling
- sensational
- cracking
- heavenly
- cool
- splendid
- top
- brave
- dandy
- topflight
- superior
- boffo
- prizewinning
- grand
- prize
- nifty
- primo
- divine
- corking
- exceptional
- swell
- groovy
- first-rate
- gangbusters
- choice
- good
- fab
- frontline
- top-notch
- bang-up
- unsurpassed
- peachy
- gangbuster
- fantabulous
- banner
- bumper
- dope
- topping
- par excellence
- capital
- boss
- immense
- first-class
- keen
- wizard
- blue-ribbon
- top-shelf
- tip-top
- noble
- too much
- brag
- decent
- mean
- number one
- bonny
- first-string
- radical
- high-class
- righteous
- jim-dandy
- bully
- supernal
- gone
- top-of-the-line
- blue-chip
- special
- hype
- better
- phat
- numero uno
- five-star
- down
- A-OK
- out-of-sight
- gilt-edge
- adequate
- bonnie
- peachy keen
- satisfactory
- four-star
- gilt-edged
- out of this world
- premium
- traditional
- fancy
- acceptable
- passable
- classical
- all right
- superfine
- tolerable
- No. 1
- standard
- A1
- select
- okay
- high-grade
- high-test
- OK
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lousy
- poor
- terrible
- rotten
- awful
- execrable
- wretched
- atrocious
- pathetic
- vile
- bad
- substandard
- inferior
- mediocre
- unsatisfactory
- middling
- low-grade
- second-rate
- second-class
crackerjack
2 of 2noun
variants also crackajack
1
as in virtuoso
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field a young prospect who's supposed to be a crackerjack on the baseball diamond Synonyms & Similar Words
- virtuoso
- scholar
- expert
- master
- specialist
- hotshot
- hand
- guru
- ace
- wizard
- sharp
- professional
- proficient
- geek
- maestro
- whiz
- adept
- shark
- consultant
- pro
- artist
- fan
- connoisseur
- maven
- fiend
- meister
- past master
- mavin
- cognoscente
- dab
- dab hand
- authority
- buff
- craftsman
- journeyman
- aficionado
- enthusiast
- devotee
- hired gun
- mistress
- addict
- jack-of-all-trades
- afficionado
- all-rounder
- Renaissance man
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amateur
- novice
- neophyte
- apprentice
- inexpert
- beginner
- nonexpert
- layman
- dilettante
- dabbler
- nonprofessional
2
as in beauty
something very good of its kind the cheese maker's aged cheddar is a real crackerjack Synonyms & Similar Words
- beauty
- honey
- humdinger
- peach
- phenomenon
- doozy
- corker
- wonder
- ripsnorter
- dandy
- beaut
- gem
- ripper
- nifty
- lollapalooza
- pippin
- snorter
- sweetheart
- daisy
- doozer
- knockout
- standout
- doozie
- dilly
- dream
- jim-dandy
- diamond
- plum
- something else
- prodigy
- pip
- hot stuff
- marvel
- sockdolager
- hummer
- sockdologer
- lulu
- sensation
- cat's meow
- jewel
- catch
- bee's knees
- pearl
- imperial
- treasure
- crown jewel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- turkey
- failure
- disappointment
- loser
- lemon
- stinker
- dud
- bust
- flop
- letdown