crumble
Crumble (verb) means to break apart into small pieces or fall to ruin. Example: “The old wall crumbled under the weight of the tree.”
How to use crumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo fall apart into pieces, or the classic British baked fruit dessert.
The dessert "crumble" is a distinctly British term; Americans might call a similar dish a "crisp" or "cobbler."
Word forms
crumbled past tense, crumbles plural, Crumbles plural, crumbles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old wall _____ under the weight of the tree.
Etymology
From an older form crymble, related to "crumb" with a diminutive ending.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for crumble
See all rhymes for crumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “crumble” mean?
The word “crumble” means to break apart into small pieces or fall to ruin. In plain terms, to fall apart into pieces, or the classic British baked fruit dessert.
How do you pronounce “crumble”?
“Crumble” is pronounced KRUHM-buhl (/ˈkɹʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “crumble” in a sentence?
Here is “crumble” used in a sentence: “The old wall crumbled under the weight of the tree.”
What part of speech is “crumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “crumble” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “crumble” a common word?
“Crumble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “crumble” have?
“Crumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break apart into small pieces or fall to ruin.