Stumble - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To stumble means to trip or lose balance while walking or moving. It can also refer to making a mistake or hesitating, such as in speech or actions. Example: He stumbled over the uneven pavement.
Definition:
To trip or lose balance while walking, or to make a mistake while speaking or acting.
Synonyms:
trip, falter, blunder, stagger
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
glide, succeed
Common Collocations:
stumble upon, stumble over words, stumble into trouble
Derivatives:
stumbling (adj.), stumbler (noun)
Usage Tips:
Use "stumble" for physical tripping or figurative mistakes; often paired with prepositions like "upon" or "over."
Common Phrases:
stumble across, stumble upon, stumble through
Etymology:
From Old English *stumolian*, meaning to trip or walk unsteadily; related to Dutch *strompelen*.
Examples:
- 1. She stumbled over a rock on the path.
- 2. He stumbled through his speech nervously.
- 3. They stumbled upon an old treasure map.
- 4. The toddler stumbled but didn’t fall.