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.
This luscious cake, a delicious cross between a buttery cake and a crumbly cobbler. Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 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 In America, scones are usually triangular, err on the crumbly and dense side, are loaded with mix-ins, and may be savory or sweet. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026 Because the local stone can be crumbly, flexible walking shoes are often better than stiff trekking boots. Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 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 7 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

crumbly

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

More from Merriam-Webster on crumbly

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster