crumple
B2Neutral. Common in both spoken and written English, but the extended meaning of collapsing emotionally is slightly more informal.
Definition
Meaning
To crush or press something (especially paper, cloth, or metal) out of shape so that it becomes creased and wrinkled.
To collapse, give way, or lose composure suddenly, often under physical or emotional pressure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a loss of original, smooth, or organized form, often resulting in a state of disarray or ruin. It can be transitive or intransitive. It often carries a negative connotation of destruction or failure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO: He crumpled the letter.SV (intransitive): The front of the car crumpled on impact.SVA: She crumpled to the ground.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crumple zone (part of a vehicle designed to deform in a crash)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in extended metaphors: 'The company's share price crumpled after the scandal.'
Academic
Used in materials science or engineering: 'The aluminium alloy crumpled predictably under stress.'
Everyday
Common: crumpling paper, fabric, or a face showing emotion.
Technical
Specific use in automotive safety design ('crumple zone').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He crumpled the crisp packet and put it in the bin.
- Her face crumpled and she began to cry.
American English
- Don't crumple your application form before mailing it.
- The quarterback crumpled under the defensive tackle's hit.
adjective
British English
- The crumple zones performed as designed.
- He held a crumple of banknotes.
American English
- The crumple zone absorbed the impact.
- She pulled a crumple of tissues from her pocket.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please do not crumple the paper.
- The bag is full of crumpled clothes.
- He crumpled the letter in anger and threw it away.
- The car's bonnet crumpled in the accident.
- She crumpled under the intense interrogation and confessed.
- The company's expansion plans crumpled due to lack of funding.
- Watching his confident facade crumple in the face of evidence was startling.
- The lightweight alloy crumples progressively, channeling energy away from the passenger cabin.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CRUMPet (the food) being squashed and losing its shape -> CRUMPle.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IS PHYSICAL COLLAPSE ('Her face crumpled when she heard the news.'). FAILURE IS A PHYSICAL CRUSHING ('Our plans crumpled.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'crumble' (рассыпаться, крошиться). 'Crumple' is about folds and creases, not breaking into pieces.
- The Russian verb 'сминать' is a good equivalent for the physical action.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'crumple' for food that falls apart (use 'crumble').
- Incorrect: 'The old cookie crumpled in my hand.' Correct: 'The old cookie crumbled...'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'crumple'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Crumple' involves pressing into folds or creases (paper, metal, a face). 'Crumble' means to break or fall apart into small fragments (a cookie, a building, plans).
Yes, in two ways: physically ('He crumpled to the floor') and metaphorically for showing emotion ('Her face crumpled').
It is neutral. The physical meaning is standard. The emotional meaning ('face crumpled') is common but slightly more informal.
A structural feature in vehicles, usually at the front and rear, designed to deform and absorb kinetic energy during a collision to protect the occupants.
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