Crumb

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kɹʌm/
• Rhymes: -ÊŒm

Origin

From Old English cruma ("crumb, fragment"). The b appeared in the mid 15th century to match crumble and words like dumb, numb, thumb.

Full definition of crumb

Noun

1. A small piece which breaks off from baked food (such as cake, biscuit or bread).The pigeons were happily pecking at crumbs of bread on the ground.
• Bible, Luke xvi. 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table
2. (figuratively) A bit, small amount.a crumb of comfort
3. The soft internal portion of bread, surrounded by crust.
• Old songDust unto dust, what must be, must;
  If you can't get crumb, you'd best eat crust.
4. A mixture of sugar, cocoa and milk, used to make industrial chocolate.
5. (slang) A nobody, worthless person.
6. (slang) A body louse.

Synonyms

• (crumbled food) crumbling
• (small amount) see also .

Derived terms

• crumber
• crumble
• crumby, crummy
• breadcrumb

Related terms

• crumble
• crumpet

Verb

1. To cover with crumbs.
2. To break into crumbs or small pieces with the fingers; to crumble.to crumb bread

Derived terms

• crumbed

Related terms

• crumple