Crumb Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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crumb

[krʌm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in baking

A small piece of bread, cake, or cookie that has broken off.

Synonyms

bit, fragment, particle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crumb	Often used in relation to small pieces of bread, cake, or other food. It can also be used metaphorically to describe very small amounts of something, usually in a mundane context. She brushed the crumbs off the table. He couldn't even get a crumb of attention from the audience.
particle	Used to describe very small pieces, often at a microscopic or atomic level. Common in scientific contexts. Particles of dust floated in the sunlight. Physicists studied the behavior of atomic particles.
fragment	Typically refers to a piece broken off from a larger whole, often used in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as in literature or science. The archaeologists found a fragment of an ancient vase. She could only recall fragments of the conversation.
bit	A general term for a small piece or quantity of something. It can be used in various informal situations. Can you give me a bit of your sandwich? There was a bit of dust on the shelf.

Examples of usage

He picked up the crumbs of the cake from the floor.
The table was littered with crumbs from the loaf of bread.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

figurative

A tiny amount or portion of something.

Synonyms

scrap, speck, trace.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crumb	Typically used to refer to very small pieces of bread, cake or crackers. It's often used in the context of food or in a figurative manner to describe tiny pieces of something. I found crumbs all over the kitchen counter this morning. She followed the trail of breadcrumbs through the forest.
trace	This word is used to refer to a very small amount of something that is often difficult to detect. It's frequently used in scientific contexts or when describing evidence. The detective found a trace of blood on the carpet. There were traces of peanuts in the chocolate bar.
speck	Often used to describe a very small spot or particle of a substance, usually something that is barely noticeable. It's commonly used in contexts where cleanliness or precision is important. There's a speck of dust on the lens of the camera. She noticed a tiny speck of dirt on her shirt.
scrap	Usually refers to small pieces of something that are leftover or discarded. This can apply to food, paper, or even materials like metal. It often implies waste or useless material. He wrote his phone number on a scrap of paper. They gathered all the metal scraps from the workshop.

Examples of usage

She didn't have a crumb of evidence to support her claim.
He didn't show a crumb of kindness towards his coworkers.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

figurative

To break into small pieces or particles.

Synonyms

break up, crumble, disintegrate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
crumb	Refers to small pieces of bread, cake, or similar baked goods. Usually used in the context of food and baking. I found a crumb of bread on the table. The mouse was searching for crumbs in the kitchen.
break up	Commonly used in relationships to describe ending a romantic relationship. Can also refer to splitting into smaller parts, such as a group or a meeting. They decided to break up after five years together. The crowd began to break up after the concert ended.
disintegrate	Means to break into very small parts or particles. Often used in a scientific or metaphorical context to describe complete breakdown or destruction over time. Strong negative connotation. The spacecraft began to disintegrate as it re-entered the atmosphere. Over the years, the abandoned building slowly disintegrated.
crumble	Implies breaking into small pieces naturally or due to fragility. Often used to describe things that are structurally weak or easily broken, including baked goods and ruins. The old castle began to crumble after centuries of neglect. She watched the cookie crumble in her hand.

Examples of usage

The scandal crumbed his reputation.
The old building began to crumb and fall apart.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'crumb'

The word 'crumb' originated from the Old English word 'crom', which meant 'crumb, fragment'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form with the same meaning of a small piece or fragment of something. Crumbs have been associated with food and baking for centuries, symbolizing the small leftover pieces that break off from larger baked goods.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,103, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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