tumbling

[ tuhm-bling ]

/ ˈtʌm blɪŋ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR tumbling ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act, practice, or art of performing acrobatic tumbles, usually on a mat or the ground.

Origin of tumbling

First recorded in 1375–1425, tumbling is from the late Middle English word tomblyng. See tumble, -ing¹

Words nearby tumbling

tumblehome, tumbler, tumbler gear, tumbler switch, tumbleweed, tumbling, tumbling barrel, tumbling box, tumbrel, tumefacient, tumefaction

Definition for tumbling (2 of 2)

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.

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

Example sentences from the Web for tumbling

But amid their tumbling words describing their woes, they express disbelief much will come from the talks.

Why Geneva 2 Won’t Stop Syria’s War |Jamie Dettmer |January 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It was that spectacular and it went on for an hour or two… a mass display of gymnastics and dancing and tumbling.

How to Hide a Famine with Ping-Pong |Nicholas Griffin |January 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I want to feel that rolling, tumbling momentum, like a barrel sent blind downhill.

How I Write: Paul Lynch |Noah Charney |December 18, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
So, again, I hope the Democrats in the Senate take note of the dominoes that are tumbling here because they stood together.

The Party of No Flirts With Yes as Mitch McConnell’s Grip on the GOP Slips |Michael Tomasky |July 19, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

But budge they must, and budge on spending cuts the Democrats must too, or else tumbling down the hill we will go.

Fiscal Cliff Countdown: What the Principals Want |Abby Haglage |December 30, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Far ahead they could see the Wireless looking like a speck on the tumbling waters.

Motor Boat Boys Mississippi Cruise |Louis Arundel
Rushing up three different gulches, the sledges, with tumbling human forms as freight, advanced to battle.

My Attainment of the Pole |Frederick A. Cook
But, having cracked his skull by tumbling off a ladder, he became an able lawyer, as you are aware.

Thais |Anatole France
Madge assured herself as she made successive thrusts into the old log, tumbling out knives, forks and spoons.

The Missing Formula |Mildred A. Wirt, AKA Ann Wirt
The chaplain, tumbling down somehow from his mount, picked up the writhing boy and bundled him across the saddle.

The Shepherd of the North |Richard Aumerle Maher

British Dictionary definitions for tumbling

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 tumbling

tumble

see rough and tumble.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tumbling

noun

Origin of tumbling

Words nearby tumbling

Definition for tumbling (2 of 2)

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

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

noun

Origin of tumble

OTHER WORDS FROM tumble

Example sentences from the Web for tumbling

British Dictionary definitions for tumbling

verb

noun

Word Origin for tumble

Idioms and Phrases with tumbling

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

tumbling

noun

Origin of tumbling

Words nearby tumbling

Definition for tumbling (2 of 2)

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

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

noun

Origin of tumble

OTHER WORDS FROM tumble

Words related to tumbling

Example sentences from the Web for tumbling

British Dictionary definitions for tumbling

verb

noun

Word Origin for tumble

Idioms and Phrases with tumbling