crumple

verb

UK/ˈkrʌm.pᵊl/
US/ˈkrʌm.pᵊl/

Definitions of crumple verb

  1. TransitiveIntransitive

    to cause something to become, or to become, full of irregular folds

    • This fabric tends to crumple very easily.

    • He crumpled the document into a ball.

    • The paper crumpled when it got wet.

  2. Intransitive

    If someone's face crumples, it shows many lines due to a strong emotion.

    • Her smile vanished and her face crumpled when she heard the news.

    • His face crumpled as he listened to the story and began to cry.

    • Her face crumpled with grief.

  3. Intransitive

    If someone crumples, they suddenly fall to the ground.

    • He crumpled to the ground after being shot.

    • She felt a wave of dizziness, and then she crumpled.

    • His legs gave way and he crumpled when he heard the terrible news.

Phrasal Verbs of crumple

  • crumple something up

    to compress a sheet of paper until it is entirely creased and folded

    He was disappointed with the rejection letter and crumpled it up.