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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | gecrymian, from cruma; CRUMB |
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crum‧ble1
1TB [intransitive] also crumble away if something, especially something made of stone or rock, is crumbling, small pieces are breaking off it : 
The old stonework was crumbling away.crumbling colonial buildings
The old stonework was crumbling away.crumbling colonial buildings2 [intransitive and transitive] to break apart into lots of little pieces, or make something do this : The fall leaves crumbled in my fingers. ¼ cup crumbled goat's cheese
The fall leaves crumbled in my fingers.¼ cup crumbled goat's cheese3 [intransitive] also crumble awayP to lose power, become weak, or fail : The Empire began to crumble during the 13th century. our crumbling economy
The Empire began to crumble during the 13th century.our crumbling economy➔ that's the way the cookie crumbles
at cookie (3)WORD FOCUS: breakWORD FOCUS: break smash with a lot of force
shatter into many pieces
split into two pieces
snap into two pieces, with a sudden loud noise
tear paper/cloth
burst pipe/tyre/balloon
crumble break into a lot of small pieces
disintegrate break into a lot of small pieces and be destroyed
fracture if a bone fractures or you fracture it, it breaks slightly so that a small line appears on the surface
➔ See also break
