tumble
17 synonyms and 1 antonym for tumble, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To fall suddenly, often rolling or turning over as it happens.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
How to use tumble
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take a tumble
tumble down
prices tumble
Etymology
From Old English tumbian ("to fall, dance"), related to German taumeln ("to stagger") — describing the uncontrolled, rolling nature of the fall.
Full origin of tumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “tumble” mean?
The word “tumble” means to fall suddenly, often rolling or turning over as it happens. In plain terms, to fall over, often rolling as it happens; can also describe prices or values dropping sharply.
How do you pronounce “tumble”?
“Tumble” is pronounced TUHMBL (/ˈtʌmbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “tumble” in a sentence?
Here is “tumble” used in a sentence: “She tripped on the curb and tumbled onto the pavement.”
What part of speech is “tumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “tumble” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tumble” come from?
The word “tumble” comes from Old English. From Old English tumbian ("to fall, dance"), related to German taumeln ("to stagger") — describing the uncontrolled, rolling nature of the fall.
Is “tumble” a common word?
“Tumble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tumble” have?
“Tumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fall suddenly, often rolling or turning over as it happens.
