tumble

¹tum·ble

verb \ˈtəm-bəl\

tum·bledtum·bling\-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TUMBLE

intransitive verb

1

a : to fall suddenly and helplessly b : to suffer a sudden downfall, overthrow, or defeat c : to decline suddenly and sharply (as in price) : drop <the stock market tumbled> d : to fall into ruin : collapse

2

a : to perform gymnastic feats in tumbling b : to turn end over end in falling or flight

3

: to roll over and over, to and fro, or end over end : toss

4

: to issue forth hurriedly and confusedly

5

: to come by chance : stumble

6

: to come to understand : catch on <didn't tumble to the seriousness of the problem>

transitive verb

1

: to cause to tumble (as by pushing or toppling)

2

a : to throw together in a confused mass b : rumple, disorder

3

: to whirl in a tumbling barrel

Examples of TUMBLE

1. He tripped and tumbled to the ground.
2. The statue came tumbling down during the riots.
3. The satellite was tumbling out of control.
4. She slipped and tumbled down the hill.
5. Everyone came tumbling out of the bar at closing time.
6. He tumbled into bed and fell asleep.
7. Water tumbled over the rocks.

Origin of TUMBLE

Middle English, frequentative of tumben to dance, from Old English tumbian; akin to Old High German tūmōn to reel

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TUMBLE

Synonyms: slip, stumble, topple, trip, fall

Antonyms: get up, rise, stand (up), uprise

Related Words: collapse, crumple, drop, flump, keel, plop, plunk (or plonk), slump (over); crash, free-fall, nose-dive, plummet, plunge, precipitate, wipe out; skid, slide

Near Antonyms: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mushroom, pick up, snowball, swell, wax

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Rhymes with TUMBLE

bumble, crumble, fumble, grumble, humble, jumble, mumble, rumble, scumble, stumble, umbel