B2 adjective Neutral

breadcrumb

/ˈbrɛdˌkrʌm/

In a digital or metaphorical context, this describes a type of secondary navigation or a series of clues that allow a person to track their path or progress. It is most commonly used to describe interface elements that show a user's location within a website hierarchy.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I used the breadcrumb links at the top of the page to return to the home screen.

I used the breadcrumb links at the top of the page to return to the home screen.

2

The developer implemented a breadcrumb navigation system to improve the site's accessibility and user flow.

The developer implemented a breadcrumb navigation system to improve the site's accessibility and user flow.

3

Just follow the breadcrumb trail in the menu if you get lost on the site.

Just follow the breadcrumb trail in the menu if you get lost on the site.

Word Family

Noun
breadcrumb
Verb
breadcrumb
Adjective
breadcrumb
Related
crumbs
💡

Memory Tip

Think of Hansel and Gretel leaving pieces of bread on the ground to find their way home; that's exactly what these digital links do for you.

Quick Quiz

The designer suggested adding a _______ trail to the website so users wouldn't get lost in the deep categories.

Correct!

The correct answer is: breadcrumb

Examples

1

I used the breadcrumb links at the top of the page to return to the home screen.

everyday

I used the breadcrumb links at the top of the page to return to the home screen.

2

The developer implemented a breadcrumb navigation system to improve the site's accessibility and user flow.

formal

The developer implemented a breadcrumb navigation system to improve the site's accessibility and user flow.

3

Just follow the breadcrumb trail in the menu if you get lost on the site.

informal

Just follow the breadcrumb trail in the menu if you get lost on the site.

4

The study analyzes how breadcrumb indicators influence cognitive load during complex information retrieval tasks.

academic

The study analyzes how breadcrumb indicators influence cognitive load during complex information retrieval tasks.

5

Our primary goal for the Q3 update is to refine the breadcrumb structure to reduce bounce rates on product pages.

business

Our primary goal for the Q3 update is to refine the breadcrumb structure to reduce bounce rates on product pages.

Word Family

Noun
breadcrumb
Verb
breadcrumb
Adjective
breadcrumb
Related
crumbs

Common Collocations

breadcrumb navigation breadcrumb navigation
breadcrumb trail breadcrumb trail
breadcrumb link breadcrumb link
breadcrumb path breadcrumb path
breadcrumb element breadcrumb element

Common Phrases

leave a breadcrumb trail

to leave a series of signs to follow back

follow the breadcrumbs

to follow a sequence of clues to reach a conclusion

breadcrumb navigation

a specific type of website menu

Often Confused With

breadcrumb vs crouton

A crouton is a piece of toasted bread used in soup or salad, while a breadcrumb is a tiny fragment of bread or a digital navigation tool.

breadcrumb vs hyperlink

A hyperlink is any clickable link, whereas a breadcrumb link specifically shows position in a hierarchy.

📝

Usage Notes

When used as an adjective, 'breadcrumb' almost always precedes nouns like 'navigation', 'trail', or 'link'. It is rarely used as a standalone adjective in other contexts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget to use the singular form 'breadcrumb' when using it as a modifier (e.g., saying 'breadcrumbs navigation' instead of 'breadcrumb navigation').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of Hansel and Gretel leaving pieces of bread on the ground to find their way home; that's exactly what these digital links do for you.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the 19th-century German fairy tale 'Hansel and Gretel' by the Brothers Grimm.

Grammar Patterns

used attributively (before a noun) usually singular when functioning as a modifier non-gradable adjective
🌍

Cultural Context

The term is a direct cultural reference to Western folklore, specifically the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

Quick Quiz

The designer suggested adding a _______ trail to the website so users wouldn't get lost in the deep categories.

Correct!

The correct answer is: breadcrumb

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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