crumble

[kruhm-buhl]

verb (used with object)

crumbled, crumbling 

1. to break into small fragments or crumbs.

   Synonyms: shatter, mash

verb (used without object)

crumbled, crumbling 

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 Word Forms

• crumblingness noun
• half-crumbled adjective
• uncrumbled 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

The question over how to limit long-range nuclear weapons has become all the more important as the arms-control framework that has regulated the military competition between Washington and Moscow has crumbled over the past decade.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In an eerie echo of today, a post-pandemic president promised to restore “real” American values while the country came to blows over racial unrest, shameless disinformation activity, crumbling labor unions, income inequality and censorship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The poignant mixed-media painting doubles as a large shop façade of crumbling, graffitied ceramic tiles with signage attached on a tarp.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Then, just as it seemed Ali would crumble, he staged a stunning rally.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All around me were crumbling walls that revealed their history in layers, like rings on a tree: from grey stone, to copper colored brick, to cement, to the green and white flaking paint.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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