stumble
STUHM-buhl
Stumble (verb) means to trip or lose one’s balance while walking. Example: “She stumbled on the uneven pavement but didn’t fall.”
verb
1
To trip or lose one’s balance while walking.
"She stumbled on the uneven pavement but didn’t fall."
"He stumbled over his words during the speech."
2
To come across something by chance.
"We stumbled upon a hidden café while exploring the city."
How to use stumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo trip physically, to fumble while speaking, or to find something unexpectedly.
Common pairings
stumble upon
stumble across
stumble over words
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like stumble.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- stumbles
- Third person singular
- stumbles
- Past tense
- stumbled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ on the uneven pavement but didn’t fall.
Etymology
From a Proto-Germanic root related to "tripping" or "stammering," making it a distant relative of the word stammer.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for stumble
See all rhymes for stumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “stumble” mean?
The word “stumble” means to trip or lose one’s balance while walking. In plain terms, to trip physically, to fumble while speaking, or to find something unexpectedly.
How do you pronounce “stumble”?
“Stumble” is pronounced STUHM-buhl (/ˈstʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “stumble” in a sentence?
Here is “stumble” used in a sentence: “She stumbled on the uneven pavement but didn’t fall.”
What part of speech is “stumble”?
“Stumble” is a verb.
Where does the word “stumble” come from?
The word “stumble” comes from Proto-Germanic. From a Proto-Germanic root related to "tripping" or "stammering," making it a distant relative of the word stammer.
Is “stumble” a common word?
“Stumble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “stumble” have?
“Stumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to trip or lose one’s balance while walking.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include stumble:
