tumble Hear it!

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tumble definition

tum·ble (tum′bəl)

intransitive verb tumbled -·bled, tumbling -·bling

  1. to do somersaults, handsprings, or similar acrobatic or gymnastic feats
    1. to fall suddenly, clumsily, or helplessly
    2. to fall or decline suddenly, as from power, high value, etc.
    3. to come down in ruins; collapse
  3. to stumble or trip
  4. to toss about or roll around
  5. to move, go, issue, etc. in a hasty, awkward, or disorderly manner
  6. Informal to have sudden awareness or understanding of some situation: with to

Etymology: ME tumblen, freq. of tumben < OE tumbian, to fall, jump, dance; akin to Ger tummeln, taumeln < OHG *tumalon, freq. of tumon, to turn < IE base *dheu-, to be turbid > dull

transitive verb

  1. to cause to tumble; make fall, overthrow, topple, roll over, etc.
  2. to put into disorder by or as by tossing here and there; disarrange
  3. to whirl in a tumbler (sense )

noun

  1. the act or an instance of tumbling; specif.,
    1. a somersault, handspring, etc.
    2. a fall or decline
    3. a stumble
  2. disorder; confusion
  3. a confused heap
tumble Idioms

give (or get) a tumble

Informal to give (or get) some favorable or affectionate notice, attention, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms tumble idiom

tumble Synonyms

tumble

v.

drop, plunge, descend; see fall 1, topple, trip 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

tumble Usage Examples

Object

  • dryer: Utility room with washing machine, sink and tumble dryer.

Converse of object

  • dry: Wash at 60 with your diapers, can be tumble dried on a low heat.

Adjective modifier

  • nasty: Fiona Crossley traveled up from Yorkshire to take third place & 1st female veteran despite a nasty tumble on the hill.

Modifies a noun

  • dryer: The tumble dryer is housed in the integral garage which leads directly from the kitchen.

Modifying Another Word

  • headlong: The future might well be a headlong tumble into some version of the Middle Ages or worse.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • down: Tears tumble down my cheeks, My smile gone.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • down: West of the square, the Moorish alleys tumble down the hill toward the city walls.

Adjective complement

  • dryable: Machine washable at up to 95 degrees, tumble dryable.

Present participle complement

  • dry: Washing and tumble drying will keep the fabric at maximum performance.
tumble usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

tumble quotes

In time the Rockies may crumble Gibraltar may tumble They're only made of clay, But our love is here to stay.

-Gershwin, Ira originally Israel Gershowitz

Then strip lads, and to it, though sharp be the weather, And if, by mischance, you should happen to fall, There are worse things in life than a tumble on the heather And life is itself a game of football.

-Scott, Sir Walter

tumble quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"tumble." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/tumble>

APA Style

tumble. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/tumble

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