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Stumble: meaning, definitions and examples

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stumble

 

[ ˈstʌmb(ə)l ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

trip over

To trip or momentarily lose one's balance while walking or running.

Synonyms

fall, slip, trip

Examples of usage

  • I stumbled over the uneven pavement.
  • She stumbled on the stairs and nearly fell.
  • The drunk man stumbled out of the bar.
Context #2 | Verb

make a mistake

To make a mistake or error in judgment.

Synonyms

blunder, err, falter

Examples of usage

  • He stumbled in his presentation and forgot his key points.
  • The politician stumbled during the debate and lost support.
  • She stumbled over her words during the interview.
Context #3 | Noun

awkward movement

An awkward or unsteady movement while walking.

Synonyms

lurch, stagger, wobble

Examples of usage

  • He watched her with a stumble in her step, concerned she might fall.
  • The stumble in his walk suggested he was injured.

Translations

Translations of the word "stumble" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tropeçar

🇮🇳 ठोकर खाना

🇩🇪 stolpern

🇮🇩 tersandung

🇺🇦 спіткнутися

🇵🇱 potknąć się

🇯🇵 つまずく

🇫🇷 trébucher

🇪🇸 tropezar

🇹🇷 takılmak

🇰🇷 비틀거리다

🇸🇦 تعثر

🇨🇿 zakopnout

🇸🇰 zakopnúť

🇨🇳 绊倒

🇸🇮 spotakniti se

🇮🇸 hrasa

🇰🇿 қабылдау

🇬🇪 დამარცხება

🇦🇿 büdrəmək

🇲🇽 tropezar

Etymology

The word 'stumble' originated from the Old English word 'stumelian', which meant 'to trip or stagger'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form with similar meanings related to tripping or making mistakes. Stumbling is a common occurrence, and the word has been used for centuries to describe moments of unsteady movement or error in judgment.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,187, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.