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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 notes

In plain EnglishTo scrunch something up into wrinkles, or to suddenly collapse.

Common pairings
crumple a piece of paper crumple under pressure crumple zone

Word forms

crumpled past tense, crumples plural, crumples singular

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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".

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for crumple

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial