rumble

1 of 2

verb

rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl 

rumbled; rumbling ˈrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to make a low heavy rolling sound or series of sounds

thunder rumbling in the distance

My stomach was rumbling.

2

: to travel with a low reverberating sound

wagons rumbled into town

3

: to speak in a low rolling tone

4

US, informal + old-fashioned : to fight especially in the street

transitive verb

1

: to utter or emit in a low rolling voice

"That is a sure prophecy," rumbled a deep voice.

—Rudyard Kipling

2

British : to reveal or discover the true character of

… had long ago rumbled her … excuses.

—Zadie Smith

rumbler

ˈrəm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

rumble

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of thunder)

b

: low frequency noise in phonographic playback caused by the transmission of mechanical vibrations by the turntable to the pickup

2

: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage

3

a

: widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest

b

US, informal + old-fashioned : a street fight especially among gangs

Synonyms of rumble

Verb

• growl
• grumble

Examples of rumble in a Sentence

Verb

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

The train rumbles through town twice a day.

We watched as the trucks rumbled past.

The gangs rumbled in the alley.

Noun

I was awakened by the rumble of a train passing by.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Grief has always been at the core of the French Cuban twin duo’s work, but joy spills over in the rumbling electronic-R&B production, dramatic strings, and exultant hand percussion of Offering, their first album as independent artists. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026

The second earthquake that hit Venezuela on Wednesday started rumbling before the first had even concluded. — Evan Bush, NBC news, 25 June 2026

Noun

There will be a few rumbles of thunder, but nothing severe is expected. — Mary Ours, CBS News, 21 June 2026

Mexico were being booed, booed furiously, but even that low rumble failed to drown out the whistles, hurled from the stands of the Estadio Akron with the ferocity and barb of spears. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; akin to Middle High German rummeln to rumble

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing rumble

• rumble on
• rumble seat
• rumble strip

Rhymes for rumble

• bumble
• crumble
• fumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

rumble

1 of 2 verb

rum·​ble ˈrəm-bəl 

rumbled; rumbling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to make or move with a low heavy rolling sound

thunder rumbled in the distance

rumble

2 of 2 noun

: a low heavy rolling sound