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

Two of the worst teams in the league, the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans, got only their second wins of the campaign, while the Dallas Cowboys' season continued to crumble.

From BBC

Also, while most teams crumble under the weight of three-to-none — the previous nine poor souls were swept — a different sort of history is also on the Dodgers’ side.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s topped with whipped cream, caramel and cookie butter crumble.

From Salon

"Everyone thought Holloway going to be there forever. It really shows that systems that we think will be there forever can crumble," fellow co-director Sophie Compton told BBC London.

From BBC

Flimsy ground story walls for carports, garages or stores can crumble in an earthquake, and are called “soft-story” buildings, explains U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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