verb
bumble
BUHM-buhl
Bumble (verb) means to move or speak in a clumsy, confused, or hesitant way. Example: “He bumbled through his speech, losing his place twice.”
verb
1
To move or speak in a clumsy, confused, or hesitant way.
"He bumbled through his speech, losing his place twice."
"The puppy bumbled around the yard chasing leaves."
noun
1
Short informal term for a bumblebee.
"A fat little bumble landed on the flower."
How to use bumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move, speak, or act clumsily and without much coordination.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bumbles
- Third person singular
- bumbles
- Past tense
- bumbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ through his speech, losing his place twice.
Etymology
Believed to be imitative of sound, like the related words bungle, jumble, and fumble.
Related words
Rhymes for bumble
See all rhymes for bumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “bumble” mean?
The word “bumble” means to move or speak in a clumsy, confused, or hesitant way. In plain terms, to move, speak, or act clumsily and without much coordination.
How do you pronounce “bumble”?
“Bumble” is pronounced BUHM-buhl (/ˈbʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bumble” in a sentence?
Here is “bumble” used in a sentence: “He bumbled through his speech, losing his place twice.”
What part of speech is “bumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “bumble” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “bumble” have?
“Bumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move or speak in a clumsy, confused, or hesitant way.
