tumble

Meaning

Noun

1. A fall, especially end over end.
2. A disorderly heap.
3. (informal) An act of sexual intercourse.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To fall end over end; to roll over and over.
2. (transitive) To throw headlong.
3. (intransitive) To perform gymnastics such as somersaults, rolls, and handsprings.
4. (intransitive) To drop rapidly.
5. (transitive) To smooth and polish (e.g. gemstones or pebbles) by means of a rotating tumbler.
6. (informal, intransitive) To have sexual intercourse.
7. (intransitive) To move or rush in a headlong or uncontrolled way.
8. To muss, to make disorderly; to tousle or rumple.
9. To obscure the audit trail of funds by means of a tumbler.
10. (UK, obsolete, slang) To comprehend; often in tumble to.

Synonyms

fall

topple

drop

fall down

roll

collapse

somersault

overthrow

slip

roll over

spill

upset

slump

overturn

break down

whirl around

whirl

latch on

tip

bring down

stumble

confusion

catch on

trip

crumple

crumble

crash

cotton on

break

turnover

twig

capsize

turn

tip over

vault

plummet

plunge

keel over

get wise

get it

get onto

welter

dehydrate

decrease

cut down

cut

chaotically

cartwheel

fall over

capsizing

Translations

dégringoler

tomber

fallen

caer

caduta

caída

derribar

tuimelen

purzeln

πέσιμο

culbuter

ruzzolare

κατρακύλισμα

τούμπα

tombar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtʌmbl̩/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: tumblen

Cognate with Middle Dutch: tumelen

Cognate with Dutch: tuimelen

Cognate with Middle Low German: tumelen

Cognate with German: taumeln

Cognate with Danish: tumle

In summary

From Middle English tumblen (“to fall over and over again, tumble”), frequentative of Middle English tumben (“to fall, leap, dance”), from Old English tumbian, from Proto-Germanic *tūmōną (“to turn, rotate”). Cognate with Middle Dutch tumelen (whence Dutch tuimelen), Middle Low German tumelen, tummelen, German taumeln and Danish tumle.