tumble

[ tuhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, tum·bled, tum·bling.

1. to fall helplessly down, end over end, as by losing one's footing, support, or equilibrium; plunge headlong:

   to tumble down the stairs.

2. to roll end over end, as in falling:

   The stones tumbled down the hill.

3. to fall or decline rapidly; drop:

   Prices on the stock market tumbled today.

4. to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.
5. to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow:

   As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.

6. to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple:

   The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.

7. to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.
8. to stumble or fall (usually followed by over ):

   to tumble over a sled.

9. to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way:

   The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.

10. Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often followed by to ):

    He finally tumbled to what they were doing.

11. Rocketry. (of a missile) to rotate without control end over end.

verb (used with object)

, tum·bled, tum·bling.

1. to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.
2. to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.
3. to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.
4. to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.
5. to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple:

   They tumbled him from his throne.

6. to cause to fall or collapse in ruins:

   The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.

7. to subject to the action of a tumbling box.

noun

1. an act of tumbling or falling.
2. a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.
3. an accidental fall; spill.
4. a drop in value, as of stocks.
5. a fall from a position of power or authority:

   The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.

6. a response indicating interest, affection, etc.:

   She wouldn't give me a tumble.

7. tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.
8. a confused heap:

   a tumble of papers, ashes, pens, and keys on the desk.

9. Chiefly New England. a haycock.

tumble

/ ˈtʌmbəl /

verb

1. to fall or cause to fall, esp awkwardly, precipitately, or violently
2. intrusually foll byabout to roll or twist, esp in playing

   the kittens tumbled about on the floor

3. intr to perform leaps, somersaults, etc
4. to go or move in a heedless or hasty way
5. tr to polish (gemstones) in a tumbler
6. tr to disturb, rumple, or toss around

   to tumble the bedclothes

noun

1. the act or an instance of tumbling
2. a fall or toss
3. an acrobatic feat, esp a somersault
4. a decrease in value, number, etc

   stock markets have taken a tumble

5. a state of confusion
6. a confused heap or pile

   a tumble of clothes

Other Words From

• un·tumbled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumble¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English tum(b)len “to dance in acrobatic style” (cognate with Dutch tuimelen, Low German tummeln ), frequentative of Middle English tomben, Old English tumbian, (cognate with Old Norse tumba, akin to Old High German tūmōn “to reel” (perhaps from Old Low German ); compare French tomber “to fall,” from Germanic ); -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of tumble¹

Old English tumbian , from Old French tomber ; related to Old High German tūmōn to turn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take a tumble to, Australian Slang. to come to understand.

More idioms and phrases containing tumble

see rough and tumble .

Example Sentences

In June, around the anniversary of my bike crash, I returned to the route I was on when I took a tumble.

From BBC

There are verbal routines in “Godot” that Abbott and Costello would have been right at home parroting and physical comedy sequences that Laurel and Hardy would have gladly taken a tumble for.

From Los Angeles Times

Records have tumbled under Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, as his excellent start at Anfield continued with a ninth Premier League win in 11 games and 15 from 17 overall.

From BBC

The “Vampire” singer later poked fun at herself, posting a dramatic edit of the tumble on TikTok.

From Los Angeles Times

Wednesday’s reunion episode caught up with the participants one year after their tumble through “the experiment,” as the show’s producers along with hosts Vanessa and Nick Lachey refer to its matchmaking premise.

From Salon

Related Words

• descend
• dip
• drop
• flop
• go down
• nose-dive
• plummet
• plunge
• sag
• skid
• slip
• slump
• spill
• stumble
• topple