adjective
Uncommon
crumbling
KRUHMB-lihng
Crumbling (adjective) means falling apart into small pieces or fragments. Example: “The crumbling wall finally gave way after years of neglect.”
adjective
1
Falling apart into small pieces or fragments.
"The crumbling wall finally gave way after years of neglect."
"She stepped carefully over the crumbling stone steps."
2
Falling into decline or decay, often used figuratively.
"The crumbling economy left many families struggling."
"His crumbling marriage was obvious to everyone at the party."
How to use crumbling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBreaking apart bit by bit, whether it is a physical object or something more abstract like a relationship or system.
Common pairings
crumbling wall
crumbling economy
crumbling relationship
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like crumbling.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- crumblings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ wall finally gave way after years of neglect.
Rhymes for crumbling
See all rhymes for crumbling →Frequently asked questions
What does “crumbling” mean?
The word “crumbling” means falling apart into small pieces or fragments. In plain terms, breaking apart bit by bit, whether it is a physical object or something more abstract like a relationship or system.
How do you pronounce “crumbling”?
“Crumbling” is pronounced KRUHMB-lihng (/ˈkɹʌmblɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “crumbling” in a sentence?
Here is “crumbling” used in a sentence: “The crumbling wall finally gave way after years of neglect.”
What part of speech is “crumbling”?
“Crumbling” is an adjective.
Is “crumbling” a common word?
“Crumbling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “crumbling” have?
“Crumbling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: falling apart into small pieces or fragments.