crumble
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to fall into small pieces; break or part into small fragments.
- Synonyms:
- disintegrate
-
to decay or disintegrate gradually.
The ancient walls had crumbled.
noun
-
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.
verb
-
to break or be broken into crumbs or fragments
-
(intr) to fall apart or away
his resolution crumbled
noun
Other Word Forms
- crumblingness noun
- half-crumbled adjective
- uncrumbled adjective
Etymology
Origin of crumble
1375–1425; earlier crymble, crimble; late Middle English kremelen, akin to crome crumb; -le
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although Vitinha did put the hosts in front, just a few minutes later, Newcastle did not crumble, even after such a shaky start.
From BBC
While parts of California’s geography, geology and meteorology make circumstances unique along Highway 1, Beck said, precarious — and even crumbling — coastal highways are a relatively common problem across the globe.
From Los Angeles Times
A visiting Qatari official on Monday announced a multi-million dollar aid package for Lebanon, primarily to support the country's crumbling electricity sector.
From Barron's
"She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions - and her croissants, cake and crumble," Dame Prue added.
From BBC
Today, leaders have learnt that austerity isn’t just unpopular but has also led to weak militaries and crumbling infrastructure.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
