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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

rumble

RUHMBL

Rumble (noun) means a deep, continuous, low sound, like distant thunder. Example: “A low rumble of thunder rolled across the valley.”

noun
1
A deep, continuous, low sound, like distant thunder.
"A low rumble of thunder rolled across the valley."
2
An informal, often organized street fight between rival groups.
"The two gangs planned a rumble in the old parking lot."
verb
1
To make a deep, continuous rolling sound.
"The truck rumbled past the house at midnight."

How to use rumble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA deep rolling noise, or (informally) a street brawl between groups.

Common pairings
rumble of thunder stomach rumbles gang rumble

Word forms

rumbled past tense, rumbles plural, Rumbles plural, rumbles singular

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Test yourself on “rumble” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A low _____ of thunder rolled across the valley.

Etymology

From Middle English rumblen, of imitative (sound-mimicking) origin, related to Dutch and German words for a similar low noise.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for rumble

See all rhymes for rumble →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rumble” mean?

The word “rumble” means a deep, continuous, low sound, like distant thunder. In plain terms, a deep rolling noise, or (informally) a street brawl between groups.

How do you pronounce “rumble”?

“Rumble” is pronounced RUHMBL (/ˈɹʌmb(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “rumble” in a sentence?

Here is “rumble” used in a sentence: “A low rumble of thunder rolled across the valley.”

What is another word for “rumble”?

Words with a similar meaning to “rumble” include beating, drumming, grumbling, rataplan, rubadub and rumbling.

What is the opposite of “rumble”?

The opposite of “rumble” — its antonyms — is snap.

What part of speech is “rumble”?

Depending on how it is used, “rumble” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “rumble” come from?

The word “rumble” comes from Middle English. From Middle English rumblen, of imitative (sound-mimicking) origin, related to Dutch and German words for a similar low noise.

Is “rumble” a common word?

“Rumble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial