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