Crumble

/ˈkrʌm.bəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a dessert typically made of fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of flour, sugar, and butter.

She baked an apple crumble for dessert, which was a family favorite.

verb

to break or fall apart into small fragments, often as a result of being weak or old.

The ancient statue began to crumble after centuries of exposure to the elements.

to cause something to break into smaller pieces.

The pressure of the storm caused the cliff to crumble.

to weaken or fail gradually.

His confidence began to crumble after receiving harsh criticism.

Middle English: from the verb 'croumben', of unknown origin.

crumble away

To disintegrate slowly over time.

crumble under pressure

To fail or collapse when faced with challenges.

crumbling

The process of breaking into fragments or falling apart.

crumb

A small piece of anything, especially bread.

To fall apart emotionally or mentally.

After the breakup, he really started to crumble.

To fail badly in a situation.

When it came time to present, she crumbled and forgot her lines.