Main Entry:

¹stum·ble

Pronunciation:

\ˈstəm-bəl\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

stum·bled; stum·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dialect stumle to stumble

Date:

14th century

intransitive verb1 a: to fall into sin or waywardness b: to make an error : blunder c: to come to an obstacle to belief2: to trip in walking or running3 a: to walk unsteadily or clumsily b: to speak or act in a hesitant or faltering manner4 a: to come unexpectedly or by chance <stumble onto the truth> b: to fall or move carelesslytransitive verb1: to cause to stumble : trip2: bewilder, confound

— stum·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

— stum·bling·ly \-b(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb