bumble
1[buhm-buh l]
verb (used without object), bum·bled, bum·bling.
to bungle or blunder awkwardly; muddle: He somehow bumbled through two years of college.
to stumble or stagger.
to speak in a low, stuttering, halting manner; mumble.
verb (used with object), bum·bled, bum·bling.
to do (something) clumsily; botch.
noun
an awkward blunder.
Origin of bumble
1bumble
2[buhm-buh l]
verb (used without object), bum·bled, bum·bling.
Origin of bumble
21350–1400; Middle English bomblen, frequentative of bomben to boom, buzz; imitative
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for bumble
Historical Examples of bumble
In 1273 Mr. Bumble's name was spelt bon-bel, good and beautiful.
The Romance of NamesErnest Weekley
“The Bumble Bee rows Ray, but she likes her,” was the general verdict.
The Madcap of the SchoolAngela Brazil
The Bumble says the value of school life consists in its ‘give and take’.
The Madcap of the SchoolAngela Brazil
Bumble was not about, and I said casually that I supposed the old dog was dead.
Wandering GhostsF. Marion Crawford
Again Mr. Bumble coughed,louder this time than he had coughed yet.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)Charles Dickens
bumble
1verb
noun
Word Origin for bumble
C16: perhaps a blend of bungle + stumble
bumble
2verb
Word Origin for bumble
C14 bomblen to buzz, boom, of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Bumble
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper