crumble

BrE /ˈkrʌm.bəl/ AmE /ˈkrʌm.bəl/

verb / noun en → es

past crumbled pp crumbled ing crumbling

1 BREAK INTO PIECES [intransitive] B1

to break into small pieces, especially when pressed or shaken

desmoronarse, deshacerse en pedazos

  • sth crumbles

Collocations cake crumbled into pieces · wall crumbled down

  • The cake crumbled into dust.

    El pastel se desmoronó en polvo.

2 DESTROY [transitive] B1

to destroy something completely, especially by attacking it or bombing it

destruir por completo

  • crumble sth

Collocations city crumbled to the ground · fortress crumbled under attack

  • The city was left in ruins after it had been crumbled.

    La ciudad quedó en ruinas después de haber sido destruida.

3 LOSE STRENGTH [intransitive] B2

to lose strength or power, especially suddenly and completely

perder fuerza o poder

  • sth crumbles

Collocations resolve crumbled · support crumbled away

  • Her determination to succeed began to crumble.

    Su determinación de tener éxito comenzó a desvanecerse.

4 COOKING [noun] B2

a dessert made of sweetened crushed biscuits or nuts baked in the oven until it is hard and then softened by being left to stand for a short time

pastel de galletas o nueces derretidas

  • a crumble

Collocations apple crumble · banana crumble

  • She made an apple crumble for dessert.

    Ella hizo un pastel de manzana para el postre.