crumble

1 of 2

verb

crum·​ble ˈkrəm-bəl 

crumbled; crumbling ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to break into small pieces

intransitive verb

1

: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate

2

: to break down completely : collapse

marriages crumble

crumble

2 of 2

noun

1

: something crumbled : fine debris

2

: crisp sense 2

Synonyms

Verb

• deteriorate
• worsen
• descend
• decline

Examples of crumble in a Sentence

Verb

Crumble the cookies into small bits.

The recipe calls for the herbs to be crumbled.

bones so old they had crumbled to dust

She was extremely depressed after her marriage crumbled.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Top each bowl with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and crumbled Cotija cheese. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025

The San Francisco company’s shares took a dive Monday after its partnership with Novo Nordisk crumbled. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Noun

Palate: An apple crumble fresh out of the oven, sprinkled with all the winter spices. —Felipe Schrieberg, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Dairy Queen’s take on the tasty treat combines Oreo cookie pieces, gummy worms, and fudgy crumble all blended into their trademark super-thick and creamy vanilla soft serve. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English kremelen, frequentative of Old English gecrymian to crumble, from cruma

First Known Use

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crumble

• bumble
• fumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

crumble

verb

crum·​ble

ˈkrəm-bəl

crumbled; crumbling

-b(ə-)liŋ

1

: to break into small pieces

crumble bread

2

: to fall into ruin

relationships crumble