Crushee vs. Crush: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Crushee refers to the person who is the object of someone's romantic interest or infatuation, while crush refers to the feeling of romantic interest or infatuation itself.
Key Differences
Crushee is a term used to describe the person who is the object of someone's romantic interest or affection. When someone has a crush on another person, that person is referred to as their crushee. Crush, on the other hand, refers to the feeling of romantic interest or infatuation that one person has for another. It is an emotional state where someone feels a strong, often short-term attraction towards another person.
While crushee identifies the individual who is the target of the admiration, crush describes the emotional experience of the admirer. The relationship between the two terms is that the crushee is the subject of the crush. Crush can be used as both a noun and a verb, whereas crushee is primarily used as a noun.
Crushes are common and can occur at any age, often starting in adolescence. They are usually based on physical attraction, personality traits, or both. Crushees may or may not be aware of the crush directed towards them, and the feeling may or may not be reciprocated.
The term crush highlights the internal emotional experience, while crushee points to the external focus of that experience. Both terms are used in informal contexts, particularly among younger individuals, to discuss matters of romantic interest and attraction.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The object of someone's romantic interest
The feeling of romantic interest or infatuation
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Part of Speech
Noun
Noun, verb
Emphasis
The individual admired
The emotional experience
Awareness
May or may not be aware of the admiration
Experienced by the admirer
Usage Context
Informal, discussing romantic interests
Informal, discussing romantic feelings
Relationship
The target of a crush
The emotional state towards someone
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Crushee and Crush Definitions
Crushee
The recipient of unspoken affection.
His crushee was surprised when he finally confessed his feelings.
Crush
A feeling of romantic interest or infatuation.
She has a huge crush on the new student in her class.
Crushee
The person who is the object of someone's romantic interest.
She couldn't stop staring at her crushee during class.
Crush
An intense but often short-lived admiration for someone.
His crush on the movie star faded after a few months.
Crushee
The focus of someone's infatuation.
The crushee often doesn't know they're being admired from afar.
Crush
The state of being strongly attracted to someone.
Having a crush can make you feel excited and nervous around the person.
Crushee
Someone admired or desired by another.
John is her crushee, but he's unaware of her feelings.
Crush
The person one feels romantic interest towards.
He couldn't stop thinking about his crush all day.
Crushee
The person someone has a crush on.
She wrote a secret letter to her crushee expressing her emotions.
Crush
To feel strong romantic attraction.
She's been crushing on her neighbor for years.
Crushee
The person on whom one has a crush (infatuation).
Crush
To press between opposing bodies so as to break, compress, or injure
The falling rock crushed the car.
Crush
To break, pound, or grind (stone or ore, for example) into small fragments or powder.
Crush
To put down with force; subdue
The regime crushed the rebellion.
Crush
To overwhelm or oppress severely
Spirits that had been crushed by rejection and failure.
Crush
To defeat overwhelmingly
Our team was crushed in the playoffs.
Crush
To crumple or rumple
Crushed the freshly ironed shirt.
Crush
To hug, especially with great force.
Crush
To hit or propel with great force
A swing of the bat that crushed a fastball over the wall.
Crush
To press upon, shove, or crowd.
Crush
To extract or obtain by pressing or squeezing
Crush juice from a grape.
Crush
To be or become crushed
Aluminum cans crush easily.
Crush
To proceed or move by crowding or pressing
The fans crushed forward to get a glimpse of the movie star.
Crush
The act of crushing or the pressure involved in crushing
Matter superheated by the crush of gravity around black holes.
Crush
A great crowd
A crush of spectators.
Crush
A substance prepared by or as if by crushing, especially a fruit drink
Orange crush.
Crush
A usually temporary infatuation
Had a crush on her friend's cousin.
Crush
One who is the object of such an infatuation.
Crush
A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
Crush
Violent pressure, as of a moving crowd.
Crush
A violent crowding.
Crush
A crowd that produces uncomfortable pressure.
A crush at a reception
Crush
(slang) A group or gang.
Crush
A crowd control barrier.
Crush
A drink made by squeezing the juice out of fruit.
Crush
(informal) An infatuation with somebody one is not dating.
I've had a huge crush on her since we met many years ago.
Crush
The human object of such infatuation or affection.
Crush
A standing stock or cage with movable sides used to restrain livestock for safe handling.
Crush
(dated) A party or festive function.
Crush
(Australia) The process of crushing cane to remove the raw sugar, or the season when this process takes place.
Crush
The situation where certain colors are so similar as to be hard to distinguish, either as a deliberate effect or as a limitation of a display.
Black crush; white crush
Crush
A paraphilia involving arousal from seeing things destroyed by crushing.
Crush
To press between two hard objects; to squeeze so as to alter the natural shape or integrity, or to force together into a mass.
To crush grapes
Crush
To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding.
To crush quartz
Crush
(figurative) To overwhelm by pressure or weight.
After the corruption scandal, the opposition crushed the ruling party in the elections
Crush
To do impressively well at (sports events; performances; interviews; etc.).
They had a gig recently at Madison Square—totally crushed it!
Crush
To oppress or grievously burden.
Crush
To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
The sultan's black guard crushed every resistance bloodily.
Crush
(intransitive) To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller volume or area, by external weight or force.
An eggshell crushes easily
Crush
To feel infatuation or unrequited love.
She's crushing on him.
Crush
To give a compressed or foreshortened appearance to.
Crush
To make certain colors so similar as to be hard to distinguish, either as a deliberate effect or as a limitation of a display.
My old TV set crushes the blacks when the brightness is lowered.
Crush
To press or bruise between two hard bodies; to squeeze, so as to destroy the natural shape or integrity of the parts, or to force together into a mass; as, to crush grapes.
Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut.
The ass . . . thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall.
Crush
To reduce to fine particles by pounding or grinding; to comminute; as, to crush quartz.
Crush
To overwhelm by pressure or weight; to beat or force down, as by an incumbent weight.
To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again.
Crush
To oppress or burden grievously.
Thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway.
Crush
To overcome completely; to subdue totally.
Speedily overtaking and crushing the rebels.
Crush
To subdue or overwhelm (a person) by argument or a cutting remark; to cause (a person) to feel chagrin or humiliation; to squelch.
Crush
To be or become broken down or in, or pressed into a smaller compass, by external weight or force; as, an eggshell crushes easily.
Crush
A violent collision or compression; a crash; destruction; ruin.
The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds.
Crush
Violent pressure, as of a crowd; a crowd which produced uncomfortable pressure; as, a crush at a reception.
Politics leave very little time for the bow window at White's in the day, or for the crush room of the opera at night.
Crush
Leather that has had its grain pattern accentuated
Crush
A dense crowd of people
Crush
Temporary love of an adolescent
Crush
The act of crushing
Crush
Come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority;
The government oppresses political activists
Crush
To compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition;
Crush an aluminum can
Squeeze a lemon
Crush
Come out better in a competition, race, or conflict;
Agassi beat Becker in the tennis championship
We beat the competition
Harvard defeated Yale in the last football game
Crush
Break into small pieces;
The car crushed the toy
Crush
Humiliate or depress completely;
She was crushed by his refusal of her invitation
The death of her son smashed her
Crush
Crush or bruise;
Jam a toe
Crush
Make ineffective;
Martin Luther King tried to break down racial discrimination
Crush
Become injured, broken, or distorted by pressure;
The plastic bottle crushed against the wall
FAQs
What is a crushee?
A crushee is the person who is the object of someone's romantic interest or affection.
How do you use crushee in a sentence?
She couldn't help but blush whenever her crushee walked by.
Can a crushee be unaware of the crush?
Yes, a crushee may or may not be aware of the romantic interest directed towards them.
What is a crush?
A crush is a feeling of romantic interest or infatuation that one person has for another.
How do you use crush in a sentence?
He confessed that he has a crush on his best friend.
Does a crush always lead to a relationship?
No, a crush does not always lead to a relationship; it can remain an unspoken or unreciprocated feeling.
Is a crush usually long-term?
Crushes are often short-term, but they can sometimes develop into longer-term feelings.
What emotions are associated with having a crush?
Emotions such as excitement, nervousness, and longing are commonly associated with having a crush.
Is a crush always reciprocated?
No, a crush is not always reciprocated; the feelings might not be mutual.
Is the term crushee commonly used?
Crushee is less commonly used than crush and is more informal.
What typically causes a crush?
A crush is typically caused by physical attraction, admiration of personality traits, or both.
Can a person have more than one crushee?
Yes, a person can have multiple crushees at the same time.
What are common signs of having a crush?
Common signs include increased heart rate, nervousness around the person, and thinking about them frequently.
Is it common to feel shy around a crushee?
Yes, it is common to feel shy or nervous around a crushee.
How can one differentiate between a crush and deeper feelings?
Crushes are usually characterized by excitement and infatuation, while deeper feelings involve a more sustained and profound emotional connection.
Can crush be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, crush can be used as both a noun (e.g., "I have a crush on her") and a verb (e.g., "He is crushing on his colleague").
Can crushes occur at any age?
Yes, crushes can occur at any age, although they are particularly common during adolescence.
Are crushees usually aware of their admirers?
Crushees might not always be aware of their admirers, especially if the feelings are kept secret.
Can a crush fade over time?
Yes, a crush can fade over time, especially if the feelings are not reciprocated or acted upon.
How does one typically express a crush?
A crush is often expressed through gestures, compliments, or directly confessing feelings.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
