crumbling
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈkɹəmbəɫɪŋ// UK //kɹˈʌmblɪŋ// crum·bling
adj. breaking into small pieces because something is very old or in bad condition. You use this to describe buildings, walls, or even systems that are falling apart.
adj. breaking into small fragments or decaying; in a state of disintegration. Often used figuratively to describe institutions or relationships that are failing.
The old house has crumbling walls and a leaking roof.
The city is struggling to repair its crumbling infrastructure after decades of neglect and underfunding.
The novel depicts a family living in a crumbling mansion, serving as a metaphor for their fading social status and internal emotional decay.
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; can also follow a linking verb like 'remain' or 'look'.