tumbles; tumbled; tumbling
1
a
: to fall down suddenly and quickly
He tripped and tumbled to the ground.
The abandoned house finally tumbled [=collapsed] to the ground.
The statue came tumbling down during the riots.
b
: to fall forward while turning over
The satellite was tumbling out of control.
She slipped and tumbled down the hill/steps.
2
: to fall or drop suddenly in amount, value, etc.
Stock prices tumbled today.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to move in a fast, confused, or uncontrolled way
Everyone came tumbling out of the bar at closing time.
He tumbled into bed and fell asleep.
Water tumbled over the rocks.
4
: to roll or turn your body across the ground or through the air while performing a series of athletic movements
tumbling acrobats/gymnasts
5
of hair
: to fall or hang down loosely
Her long, curly hair tumbled down her back.
plural tumbles
1
: an act of falling or tumbling
She took a tumble down the stairs. [=she fell down the stairs]
The value of the stock has taken a tumble [=has gone down] in recent weeks.
2
: an athletic movement in which you roll or turn your body across the ground or through the air
gymnasts doing tumbles
Cite this Entry
“Tumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/tumble. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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