crumbly

adjective

crum·​bly ˈkrəm-b(ə-)lē How to pronounce crumbly (audio)
crumblier; crumbliest
Synonyms of crumblynext
: easily crumbled : friable
crumbly soil
crumbliness noun

Examples of crumbly in a Sentence

a crumbly shortbread cookie
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But where limestone is crumbly and opaque, nacre’s toughness and light-bending properties come from silklike proteins that weave among the layers, holding them in place while providing enough elasticity to absorb the shock of a fracture. Caitlin Kennedy, Scientific American, 25 Apr. 2026 These white, super-dry, thick, crumbly pucks look like an art project gone wrong. Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 Molasses and shortbread come together to create this tangy, crumbly pie that has a flavor unlike any other. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 Even an extra 30 seconds can result in rubbery whites and dry, crumbly yolks, while not cooking them long enough yields inedible results. Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crumbly

Word History

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crumbly was in 1523

Cite this Entry

“Crumbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumbly. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

crumbly

adjective
crum·​bly -b(ə-)lē How to pronounce crumbly (audio)
crumblier; crumbliest
: easily crumbled

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