wamble

[wom-buhl, -uhl, wam-]

verb (used without object)

wambled, wambling 

1. to move unsteadily.

2. to feel nausea.

3. (of the stomach) to rumble; growl.

noun

1. an unsteady or rolling movement.

2. a feeling of nausea.

wamble

/ ˈwɒmbəl /

verb

1. to move unsteadily

2. to twist the body

3. to feel nausea

noun

1. an unsteady movement

2. a sensation of nausea

Other Word Forms

• wambly adjective
• wambliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wamble¹

1300–50; Middle English wamle, obscurely akin to Norwegian vamla to stagger

Word History and Origins

Origin of wamble¹

C14 wamelen to feel ill, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian vamla to stagger

Example Sentences

Marilyn Monroe’s eye-catching gait is more tortile and wambling than ever.

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But they refrained, having a wambling, a sort of sick feeling in the pit of their stomachs.

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Here's a fine blade, now, and a musket—give me a harquebus; I could shoot once, but my arm is all of a wamble now.

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Shall I speak, dear Warner? let me now; it does so wamble within me, just like a clyster, i'faith la, and I can keep it no longer, for my heart.

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But when poor Nat came wambling in again, she slid away.

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