bumble

¹

[ buhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, bum·bled, bum·bling.

1. to bungle or blunder awkwardly; muddle:

   He somehow bumbled through two years of college.

2. to stumble or stagger.
3. to speak in a low, stuttering, halting manner; mumble.

verb (used with object)

, bum·bled, bum·bling.

1. to do (something) clumsily; botch.

noun

1. an awkward blunder.

bumble

²

[ buhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, bum·bled, bum·bling.

1. to make a buzzing, humming sound, as a bee.

bumble

¹

/ ˈbʌmbəl /

verb

1. to speak or do in a clumsy, muddled, or inefficient way

   he bumbled his way through his speech

2. intr to proceed unsteadily; stumble

noun

1. a blunder or botch

bumble

²

/ ˈbʌmbəl /

verb

1. intr to make a humming sound

Derived Forms

• ˈbumbler, noun
• ˈbumbling, nounadjective

Other Words From

• bumbler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumble¹

1525–35; perhaps blend of bungle and stumble

Origin of bumble²

1350–1400; Middle English bomblen, frequentative of bomben to boom, buzz; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumble¹

C16: perhaps a blend of bungle + stumble

Origin of bumble²

C14 bomblen to buzz, boom, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

As the xenobots bumble about, they can gather loose frog cells into spheres, which then coalesce into xenobots themselves.

From Science News

The stumbles and bumbles have picked up in the sloppy conditions.

From Washington Post

I bumbled my way through Super Rush racking up too many bogeys to count, but that’s okay because apart from its single-player campaign, otherwise known as Golf Adventure, I never felt any pressure to keep my scores below par.

From Washington Post

Erica Scharrer, University of Massachusetts AmherstFrom Homer Simpson to Phil Dunphy, sitcom dads have long been known for being bumbling and inept.

From No Straight News

When some small, edible creature such as an ant bumbles against the strand, it breaks loose from the ground.

From Science News For Students

Then he began to show me his drawings for the book that would become his last, Bumble-Ardy.

From The Daily Beast

He fixed his eyes on Mrs. Corney as he said this; and if ever a beadle looked tender, Mr. Bumble was that beadle at that moment.

From Project Gutenberg

But dont you think out-of-door relief a very bad thing any way, Mr. Bumble?

From Project Gutenberg

Very nice animals, maam, replied Mr. Bumble, approvingly; so very domestic.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Bumble made no reply, but in a slow and dignified manner put his arm round the matrons waist.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful look; smacked his lips, took another taste, and put the cup down empty.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bobble
• bungle
• stumble