bumble

1 of 2

verb (1)

bum·​ble ˈbəm-bəl How to pronounce bumble (audio)
bumbled; bumbling ˈbəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bumble (audio)

bumble

2 of 2

verb (2)

bumbled; bumbling

intransitive verb

1
: blunder
specifically : to speak ineptly in a stuttering and faltering manner
2
: to proceed unsteadily : stumble
bumbler noun

Examples of bumble in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The panel could not contain themselves as Hart — whose voice was unmistakable underneath the boxy costume — bumbled his way through the song by last season’s winner. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2024 Not all fictional depictions of AGI are as dramatic and dreadful though: Think of bumbling Star Wars robots C-3PO and R2-D2. Pawel Rzeszucinski, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024 Whereas Eliot knows enough about the Enlightenment’s major and minor figures, for instance, to deftly parody the bumbling uncle who has read them but shallowly. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 The late Robin Williams played Moore's onscreen bumbling obstetrician. EW.com, 16 Nov. 2023 After nearly 20 years of fighting in the country, Washington bumbled its way through a disorderly exit. Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023 Courtesy of Yellow Dot Studios The latest satirical show about a rich family bumbling a big business hits small screens this week. WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 The two ambled around then turned around, bumbling back toward the tunnel, but not before showing off the strength of their bond. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 25 Oct. 2023 Many skits and songs portrayed Jewish males as fish out of water, bumbling in their efforts to play archetypal masculine roles: cowboy, Indian chief, boxer, soldier. Jody Rosen, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bumble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English bomblen to boom, of imitative origin

Verb (2)

perhaps alteration of bungle

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1533, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bumble was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near bumble

Cite this Entry

“Bumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bumble. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!