tumble

American  

[tuhm-buhl] / ˈtʌm bəl /

verb (used without object)

tumbled, tumbling

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

   to tumble down the stairs.

2. to roll end over end, as in falling.

   The stones tumbled down the hill.

3. to fall or decline rapidly; drop.

   Prices on the stock market tumbled today.

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

5. to fall suddenly from a position of power or authority; suffer overthrow.

   As one dictator tumbles, another is rising to take his place.

6. to fall in ruins, as from age or decay; collapse; topple.

   The walls of the old mansion tumbled down upon the intruders.

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

8. to stumble or fall (usually followed byover ).

   to tumble over a sled.

9. to go, come, get, etc., in a hasty and confused way.

   The people tumbled out of the theater. He tumbled hurriedly into his clothes.

10. Informal. to understand or become aware of some fact or circumstance (often followed byto ).

    He finally tumbled to what they were doing.

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

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verb (used with object)

tumbled, tumbling

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

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

3. to put in a disordered or rumpled condition.

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

5. to cause to fall from a position of authority or power; overthrow; topple.

   They tumbled him from his throne.

6. to cause to fall or collapse in ruins.

   The wreckers tumbled the walls of the building.

7. to subject to the action of a tumbling box.

noun

1. an act of tumbling or falling.

2. a gymnastic or acrobatic feat.

3. an accidental fall; spill.

4. a drop in value, as of stocks.

5. a fall from a position of power or authority.

   The great director took a tumble when he was replaced by a newcomer.

6. a response indicating interest, affection, etc..

   She wouldn't give me a tumble.

7. tumbled condition; disorder or confusion.

8. a confused heap.

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

9. Chiefly New England. a haycock.

idioms

1. take a tumble to, to come to understand.

tumble British  

/ ˈtʌmbəl /

verb

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

2. to roll or twist, esp in playing

   the kittens tumbled about on the floor

3. (intr) to perform leaps, somersaults, etc

4. to go or move in a heedless or hasty way

5. (tr) to polish (gemstones) in a tumbler

6. (tr) to disturb, rumple, or toss around

   to tumble the bedclothes

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noun

1. the act or an instance of tumbling

2. a fall or toss

3. an acrobatic feat, esp a somersault

4. a decrease in value, number, etc

   stock markets have taken a tumble

5. a state of confusion

6. a confused heap or pile

   a tumble of clothes

tumble More Idioms  

1. see rough and tumble.

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Other Word Forms

• untumbled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tumble

First recorded in 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 from Old Low German ); compare French tomber “to fall,” from Germanic ); see -le

Explanation

When you tumble, you fall abruptly. You might trip over your shoelaces and tumble down a hill while flying a kite if you're not careful. To suddenly topple over or trip and fall to the ground is to tumble. Toddlers often tumble in sandboxes, while running on sidewalks, or as they climb down stairs. There's another way to tumble that is more deliberate: the form of gymnastics that involves roundoffs and back handsprings is called tumbling, and if you're able to do these tricks, you can tumble. The root is believed to be the Old English tumbian, "to dance about."

Example Sentences

Rough & Tumble gets about 1.1 million page views a year, Kavanagh said, and while it’s not a huge moneymaker, the business allows him to write off his many subscriptions.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

He said Rough & Tumble will end the day he does — or sooner, if artificial intelligence renders Kavanagh and his role as host, news-gatherer and California guide obsolete.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

A "hold and secure" lockdown was activated at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and nearby Tumble Ridge Elementary School.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Appeared in the September 18, 2025, print edition as 'Cracker Barrel Shares Tumble as Chain Expects Guests to Reduce Visits'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 17, 2025

"Boy! Tumble out of bed. I need a manservant."

From "The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman

Related Words

• descend
• dip
• drop
• flop
• go down
• nose-dive
• plummet
• plunge
• sag
• skid
• slip
• slump
• spill
• stumble
• topple