What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flaked
Example
She flaked the fish with a fork before frying it. [flaked: verb]
Example
The pastry was flaky and delicious. [flaky: adjective]
crumbled
Example
He crumbled the cheese over the salad. [crumbled: verb]
Example
The old building was crumbling to pieces. [crumbling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crumbled is more commonly used than flaked in everyday language. Crumbled is versatile and can be used to describe both food and non-food objects, while flaked is more specific to food and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between flaked and crumbled?
Both flaked and crumbled are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversation. However, flaked may be slightly more formal due to its association with cooking and food preparation.