rumble

American  

[ruhm-buhl] / ˈrʌm bəl /

verb (used without object)

rumbled, rumbling

1. to make a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound, as thunder.

   Synonyms:

   boom, roll, thunder, roar

2. to move or travel with such a sound.

   The train rumbled on.

3. Slang. to have or take part in a street fight between or among teenage gangs.

   Rival gangs rumbled on Saturday afternoon.

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verb (used with object)

rumbled, rumbling

1. to give forth or utter with a rumbling sound.

   to rumble a command.

2. to cause to make or move with a rumbling sound.

   to rumble a wagon over the ground.

3. to subject to the action of a rumble or tumbling box, as for the purpose of polishing.

noun

1. a deep, heavy, somewhat muffled, continuous sound.

   the rumble of tanks across a bridge.

2. rumble seat.

3. a rear part of a carriage containing seating accommodations, as for servants, or space for baggage.

4. a tumbling box.

5. Slang. a street fight between rival teenage gangs.

rumble British  

/ ˈrʌmbəl /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a deep resonant sound

   thunder rumbled in the sky

2. to move with such a sound

   the train rumbled along

3. (tr) to utter with a rumbling sound

   he rumbled an order

4. (tr) to tumble (metal components, gemstones, etc) in a barrel of smooth stone in order to polish them

5. informal (tr) to find out about (someone or something); discover (something)

   the police rumbled their plans

6. slang (intr) to be involved in a gang fight

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noun

1. a deep resonant sound

2. a widespread murmur of discontent

3. another name for tumbler

4. slang a gang fight

Other Word Forms

• rumbler noun
• rumbling adjective
• rumblingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of rumble

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English verb romblen, rumblen; compare Dutch rommelen, probably imitative of the sound; 1940–45 rumble for def. 3

Example Sentences

The Palmers leaned forward in their seats, with their hands on their heads, while the earth pitched and rumbled and shook.

From Literature

The court heard Nath - after realising he had been "rumbled" - threw the bottle of Madagascar vanilla extract into a toilet cistern but it was later recovered by police.

From BBC

Replacement forwards Nick Timoney and Michael Milne both crossed to raise concerns amongst the home fans that Ireland could rumble up a head of steam and make a fist of things.

From Barron's

Late that night Sadako heard the rumble of a bed being rolled down the hall.

From Literature

The sky was dark with clouds, and in the distance they could hear a rumble of thunder.

From Literature

Related Words

• resound
• roar