bumble

¹

[buhm-buhl]

verb (used without object)

bumbled, bumbling 

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)

bumbled, bumbling 

1. to do (something) clumsily; botch.

noun

1. an awkward blunder.

bumble

²

[buhm-buhl]

verb (used without object)

bumbled, bumbling 

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

Other Word Forms

• bumbler noun
• bumbling 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

I bumbled my way through an explanation of not having had my coffee yet and leaving them in the car by mistake.

From BBC

Fashion and the pursuit of style are, in a sense, a stumbling, bumbling journey.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a monumental deal, one that could come to define Thompson’s career and help repair Angel City’s brand as a rich club that has mostly bumbled its way through its first four seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

A bumbling Defense secretary who lacks the competence to organize a two-car military procession.

From Los Angeles Times

As “The Carpool Detectives” recounts, the women sought out the help of sometimes-reluctant police officers and the victims’ family members, bumbling at times as newbie investigators.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bobble 
• bungle 
• stumble