Crumble: Breaking Into Pieces, and a Pudding Named for It
To crumble is to break into small fragments. The British pudding takes its name from the rubbed topping, and the verb also describes institutions falling apart.
Crumble describes something falling apart into small pieces, slowly and from within. That is why it fits both old stone and failing institutions: nothing strikes them, they simply lose cohesion.
- To break into fragments. *The mortar crumbled between the bricks.*
- To collapse gradually. *Support for the plan crumbled.*
- A baked pudding (British). *Apple crumble and custard.*
- To rub fat into flour. *Crumble the butter into the mixture.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | crumble | It crumbles easily. |
| Noun | crumble | Rhubarb crumble. |
| Adjective | crumbly | A crumbly cheese. |
| Noun | crumb | Breadcrumbs. |
| Related | crumble topping | A crunchy crumble topping. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The cliff is crumbling into the sea.Gradual physical collapse.
- Her resistance crumbled.Gave way slowly rather than suddenly.
- Serve the crumble hot with cream.The pudding, and always singular in the name.
Crumble, crisp and cobbler
- Crumble — British; flour, butter and sugar rubbed to a coarse topping
- Crisp — American; similar but usually with oats or nuts
- Cobbler — American; topped with scone-like dough rather than crumbs
- Betty — layered with buttered breadcrumbs
- The British crumble became popular during wartime rationing, when pastry needed more fat than a topping did
From Middle English *cremelen*, related to *crumb* and to German *krumel*, a crumb. The pudding is surprisingly recent: it spread in Britain during the Second World War as an economical alternative to a pie.
Crumble or crisp?
Crumble is British and usually has no oats. Crisp is American and typically does. The fruit underneath is the same.
Crumble or crumple?
Crumble breaks into pieces. Crumple folds and creases — paper crumples, stone crumbles.