tumble

[ tuhm-buh l ]

/ ˈtʌm bəl /

verb (used without object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

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

to roll end over end, as in falling: The stones tumbled down the hill.

to fall or decline rapidly; drop: Prices on the stock market tumbled today.

to perform gymnastic feats of skill and agility, as leaps or somersaults.

to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow: As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.

to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple: The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.

to roll about by turning one way and another; pitch about; toss.

to stumble or fall (usually followed by over): to tumble over a sled.

to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way: The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.

Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often followed by to): He finally tumbled to what they were doing.

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

verb (used with object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

to cause to fall or roll end over end; throw over or down.

to throw or toss about; cause disarray, as in handling or searching.

to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.

to throw, cast, put, send, etc., in a precipitate, hasty, or rough manner.

to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple: They tumbled him from his throne.

to cause to fall or collapse in ruins: The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.

to subject to the action of a tumbling box.

noun

an act of tumbling or falling.

a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.

an accidental fall; spill.

a drop in value, as of stocks.

a fall from a position of power or authority: The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.

a response indicating interest, affection, etc.: She wouldn't give me a tumble.

tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.

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

Chiefly New England. a haycock.

Idioms for tumble

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

Origin of tumble

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 < OLG); compare French tomber to fall < Gmc); see -le

OTHER WORDS FROM tumble

un·tum·bled, adjective

Words nearby tumble

tuléar, tum, tumaco, tumatakuru, tumbes, tumble, tumble cart, tumble dryer, tumble home, tumble to, tumble-down

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (1 of 2)

tumble to

verb

(intr, preposition) informal to understand; become aware of

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (2 of 2)

tumble

/ (ˈtʌmbəl) /

verb

to fall or cause to fall, esp awkwardly, precipitately, or violently

(intr usually foll by about) to roll or twist, esp in playing the kittens tumbled about on the floor

(intr) to perform leaps, somersaults, etc

to go or move in a heedless or hasty way

(tr) to polish (gemstones) in a tumbler

(tr) to disturb, rumple, or toss around to tumble the bedclothes

noun

the act or an instance of tumbling

a fall or toss

an acrobatic feat, esp a somersault

a decrease in value, number, etc stock markets have taken a tumble

a state of confusion

a confused heap or pile a tumble of clothes

Word Origin for tumble

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

Idioms and Phrases with tumble to

tumble

see rough and tumble.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tumble

verb (used without object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

verb (used with object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

noun

Idioms for tumble

Origin of tumble

OTHER WORDS FROM tumble

Words nearby tumble

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (1 of 2)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (2 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for tumble

Idioms and Phrases with tumble to

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tumble

verb (used without object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

verb (used with object), tum·bled, tum·bling.

noun

Idioms for tumble

Origin of tumble

OTHER WORDS FROM tumble

Words nearby tumble

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (1 of 2)

verb

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (2 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for tumble

Idioms and Phrases with tumble to

British Dictionary definitions for tumble to (1 of 2)