[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/crumple/)

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# crumple

verb (crumple, crumples, crumpled, crumpling)

«crumple» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To crumple paper or cloth is to squeeze it so that it becomes full of creases. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#m1)
2. To crumple is to fall down suddenly in a heap, or for a face to crease up before crying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#m2)
3. To crumple can mean to collapse or be crushed, like a car in a crash. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life, you crumple paper before recycling or crumple a tissue. In science and design lessons, «crumple zones» in cars squash to protect people in a crash. In stories, a crumpling face shows a character is about to cry. Phrases: «crumple up», «crumpled shirt», «crumple to the ground», «crumple zone».

### Examples

- He crumpled up the letter and threw it away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x1)
- My shirt was crumpled after the long trip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x2)
- Her face crumpled and she started to cry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x3)
- The paper ball was crumpled and soft. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x4)
- The runner crumpled to the ground at the finish line. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x5)
- The front of a car is built to crumple in a crash. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x6)
- Don't crumple your homework into your bag. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x7)
- Then a storm came on, and the wonderful paper crane got damp, crumpled up, and fell into the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/#x8)

### Note

Adjective «crumpled» = full of creases. Similar: «crush», «crease», «scrunch». Opposite: «smooth out», «flatten». Not a number word.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «crumple» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/crumple/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«crumple» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/crumple.html) on Mova free.