First Known Use: 1547
Dictionary
1crumble
verb crum·ble \ˈkrəm-bəl\
: to break (something) into small pieces
: to separate into many small pieces : to fall apart
: to break down completely : to stop functioning
crum·bledcrum·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of CRUMBLE
transitive verb
: to break into small pieces
intransitive verb
1
: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate
2
: to break down completely : collapse <marriages crumble>
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Origin of CRUMBLE
alteration of Middle English kremelen, frequentative of Old English gecrymian to crumble, from cruma
Related to CRUMBLE
- Synonyms
- atrophy, deteriorate, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, ebb, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen
- Antonyms
- ameliorate, improve, meliorate
2crumble
noun
crumbles : small pieces of something that has been crumbled
Full Definition of CRUMBLE
1
: something crumbled : fine debris
2
: crisp 2
See crumble defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRUMBLE
1860
CRUMBLE Defined for Kids
crumble
verb crum·ble \ˈkrəm-bəl\
crum·bledcrum·bling
Definition of CRUMBLE for Kids
1
: to break into small pieces <crumble bread>
2
: to fall to pieces : fall into ruin <Any moment these walls may crumble upon us … — Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee>
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