crumble

[ kruhm-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, crum·bled, crum·bling.

1. to break into small fragments or crumbs.

   Synonyms: shatter, mash

verb (used without object)

, crum·bled, crum·bling.

1. to fall into small pieces; break or part into small fragments.

   Synonyms: disintegrate

2. to decay or disintegrate gradually:

   The ancient walls had crumbled.

noun

1. a crumbly or crumbled substance.
2. crumbles, bits of crisp bacon, bread, etc., added to other foods, especially as a topping.
3. British Dialect. crumb; particle; fragment.

crumble

/ ˈkrʌmbəl /

verb

1. to break or be broken into crumbs or fragments
2. intr to fall apart or away

   his resolution crumbled

noun

1. a baked pudding consisting of a crumbly mixture of flour, fat, and sugar over stewed fruit

   apple crumble

Other Words From

• crumbling·ness noun
• half-crumbled adjective
• un·crumbled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crumble¹

1375–1425; earlier crymble, crimble; late Middle English kremelen, akin to crome crumb; -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of crumble¹

C16: variant of crimble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German krömeln, Dutch kruimelen

Idioms and Phrases

see that's how the ball bounces (cookie crumbles) .

Example Sentences

They were pointing at a balcony on the second floor, which was completely destroyed and had crumbled on to the collapsed floor below.

From BBC

According to AP VoteCast’s sweeping survey and other network exit polls, most voters were focused on a ‘crumbling’ economy, and they broke hard for Trump.

From Salon

Its three-party coalition government crumbled late on Wednesday.

From BBC

Along Harry Bridges Boulevard and Alameda Street, less than a mile from port terminals, asphalt streets are crumbling and other construction projects are underway, blocking lanes.

From Los Angeles Times

But the workload, the stress and the weight of a crumbling marriage had taken a toll and Jones broke.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break up
• collapse
• crush
• decay
• degenerate
• deteriorate
• disintegrate
• dissolve
• grind
• tumble