dumbledore

[ duhm-buhl-dawr ]

noun

, British Dialect, Archaic.

1. bumblebee ( def ).
2. cockchafer ( def ).

dumbledore

/ ˈdʌmbəlˌdɔː /

noun

1. dialect.
   a bumblebee Also (Southwest English)drumbledrane

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbledore¹

First recorded in 1785–90; from dumble-, a combining form used for names of buzzing insects + dore, a variant spelling of dor ¹( def ); bumble ²( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of dumbledore¹

Old English dumble , variant of drumble to move sluggishly + dor humming insect

Example Sentences

Acting since his early 20s, Turner broke through playing Theseus in 2022’s “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” followed by last winter’s “The Boys in the Boat,” directed by George Clooney.

From Los Angeles Times

It was Dumbledore who once said "happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".

From BBC

Irish-born knighted actor gained a new generation of admirers by portraying Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films.

From Seattle Times

The Irish-born actor knighted for his storied career on the stage and screen who gained admiration from a new generation of moviegoers with his portrayal of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight “Harry Potter” films.

From Washington Times

An older generation will remember Gambon, who died in September at 82, for his role on the British television series “The Singing Detective,” while younger fans will know him as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” franchise.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Dumbledore

What does dumbledore mean?

Dumbledore is an old British word for a bumblebee.

It can also refer to the kind of beetle known as a cockchafer.

Dumbledore originated as a term used in a regional British dialect, but it is now very rarely used. An even less common variant of the word is dumbledrane.

Today, it is much more well-known as the last name of Albus Dumbledore, a character from the Harry Potter series of books.

Example: We sat on the grass and watched busy dumbledores collecting pollen from flowers.

Where does dumbledore come from?

The first records of the word dumbledore come from the late 1700s. The word is a combination of dumble-, a term used in the names of buzzing insects, and a variant of the word dor, which is used as a name for several insects that buzz when they fly. Dor itself comes from the Old English dora, which means “bumblebee” and is related to Middle Low German dorte, meaning “drone.” The verb drone can mean the same thing as hum or buzz—to make a low and continuous humming sound. The first part of the word, dumble-, is a variant of drumble, meaning “to move sluggishly or clumsily” (bumblebees are known for their erratic movement in flight). Although drumble sounds very similar to bumble, the bumble in bumblebee comes from the Middle English bomblen, from bomben, meaning “to boom” or “to buzz.” The word bumble can mean “to make a humming sound.”

In the Harry Potter series, Dumbledore is a powerful wizard and the headmaster  of the Hogwarts school. Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has said that the inspiration to name the character Dumbledore was based on the fact that she always imagined him as humming to himself (due to his love of music). His full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. The Latin word albus means “white.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for dumbledore?

• dumbledrane
• bumblebee
• cockchafer

What are some words that share a root or word element with dumbledore? 

 

• dor
• dorbeetle

What are some words that often get used in discussing dumbledore?

• drone
• buzz
• wizard
• headmaster
• Harry Potter
• J. K. Rowling
• wand

How is dumbledore used in real life?

Dumbledore is an old word that’s now almost always used to refer to the Harry Potter character. Most people are unaware the word ever referred to anything else.

She was buzzing like a dumbledore. pic.twitter.com/AYg9FjmmJG

— Sandra Shaw (@wpbf_sandra) July 31, 2019

Dumbledore=old word for #bumblebee & this one was buzzing at where else but 4 Privet Drive at #HarryPotter studio! #greatbritishbeecount pic.twitter.com/W5VUuPe6Yy

— Green Rita N20 (@Green_Rita_N20) May 21, 2017

We found a dumbledore today, on a walk through woods and ancient hollow ways pic.twitter.com/tp3ivaooT1

— Prof Alice Roberts (@theAliceRoberts) April 9, 2019

 

 

Try using dumbledore!

True or False?

The word dumbledore always refers to a bumblebee.