Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for crumble on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object), crum·bled, crum·bling. to break into small fragments or crumbs. Show More
verb (used without object), crum·bled, crum·bling. to fall into small pieces; break or part into small fragments. to decay or disintegrate gradually: The ancient walls had crumbled. Show More
a crumbly or crumbled substance. crumbles, bits of crisp bacon, bread, etc., added to other foods, especially as a topping. British Dialect crumb; particle; fragment. Show More
Origin of crumble 1375–1425; earlier
crymble, crimble; late Middle English kremelen, akin to
crome crumb ; see
-le Related forms crum·bling·ness , noun half-crum·bled , adjective un·crum·bled , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for crumble collapse ,
tumble ,
disintegrate ,
decay ,
grind ,
crush ,
degenerate ,
dissolve ,
deteriorate ,
pulverize ,
crumb ,
perish ,
fragment ,
molder ,
powder ,
granulate ,
putrefy ,
decompose ,
triturate Examples from the Web for crumble Contemporary Examples of crumble But, Ali warns all that can change quickly if Anbar continues to crumble , “right now, we are looking into the Abyss.”
For such a source of outward joy to crumble so violently, what the hell happened?
Afghans will lose faith in it and the credibility of modern political institutions will crumble .
The Congressman barely batted an eye when the stage beneath him began to crumble under the weight of the supporters on it.
“The point that people forget is that the music industry started to crumble , and everything started to change,” she says.
Historical Examples of crumble With every lurch of her feet, Andrew expected to feel her crumble beneath him.
It seemed too bright for a thing formed of dust, and doomed to crumble into dust again.
Not yet to be, and nevertheless to crumble away in this fashion under the sky!
And if he did, are these walls that will crumble at a few cannon-shots?
Is it in this wise that a house noble for centuries is to crumble into ruin?
British Dictionary definitions for crumble to break or be broken into crumbs or fragments (intr) to fall apart or away his resolution crumbled Show More
British a baked pudding consisting of a crumbly mixture of flour, fat, and sugar over stewed fruit apple crumble Show More
Word Origin for crumble C16: variant of crimble, of Germanic origin; compare Low German krömeln, Dutch kruimelen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for crumble v. late 15c., kremelen , from Old English *crymelan , presumed frequentative of gecrymman "to break into crumbs," from cruma (see crumb ). The -b- is 16c., probably on analogy of French-derived words like humble , where it belongs, or by influence of crumb . Related: Crumbled ; crumbling .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with crumble see that's how the ball bounces (cookie crumbles).
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
