verb
crumple
KRUHM-puhl
Crumple (verb) means to crush something into creases and wrinkles. Example: “He crumpled the letter and threw it in the bin.”
verb
1
To crush something into creases and wrinkles.
"He crumpled the letter and threw it in the bin."
"The car's bonnet crumpled on impact."
2
To collapse, give way, or fall apart, often suddenly.
"Her legs seemed to crumple beneath her as she fainted."
How to use crumple
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo scrunch something up into wrinkles, or to suddenly collapse.
Common pairings
crumple a piece of paper
crumple under pressure
crumple zone
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Word forms
- Plural
- crumples
- Third person singular
- crumples
- Past tense
- crumpled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the letter and threw it in the bin.
Etymology
From Middle English crumplen, related to Old English crump ("bent, crooked") — the same root behind "crumpled" and "crumb".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for crumple
See all rhymes for crumple →Frequently asked questions
What does “crumple” mean?
The word “crumple” means to crush something into creases and wrinkles. In plain terms, to scrunch something up into wrinkles, or to suddenly collapse.
How do you pronounce “crumple”?
“Crumple” is pronounced KRUHM-puhl (/ˈkɹʌmpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “crumple” in a sentence?
Here is “crumple” used in a sentence: “He crumpled the letter and threw it in the bin.”
What part of speech is “crumple”?
“Crumple” is a verb.
Where does the word “crumple” come from?
The word “crumple” comes from Old English. From Middle English crumplen, related to Old English crump ("bent, crooked") — the same root behind "crumpled" and "crumb".
How many meanings does “crumple” have?
“Crumple” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to crush something into creases and wrinkles.
