Tumbling: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used in gymnastics and acrobatics to describe sequences of acrobatic movements; can also refer generally to falling or rolling.

• She took tumbling classes to improve her gymnastics skills.
• The child went tumbling down the hill.

Commonly used to describe a movement where the body rotates around an axis, particularly in gymnastics, diving, or parkour. It can also refer to the action of turning something over quickly.

• She landed a back flip with ease during her routine.
• He flipped the pancake in the air.

Used in gymnastics, diving, and acrobatics to describe a complete rotation of the body along the horizontal axis, typically forwards or backwards.

• He did a somersault off the diving board.
• The gymnast finished her routine with a series of somersaults.

Typically used in gymnastics and dance to describe a specific acrobatic movement where the body rotates sideways around its axis, supported by hands and feet.

• He performed a perfect cartwheel during the floor routine.
• Children love doing cartwheels in the park.

Specifically used in gymnastics to refer to a type of apparatus and event where athletes leap over a vaulting table after sprinting; can also mean to leap vigorously.

• The gymnast stuck the landing after performing a challenging vault.
• He vaulted over the fence to escape.

Use 'tumbling' when describing an event where something continuously rolls or flips over itself, often in a somewhat uncontrolled or chaotic manner.

• The gymnast was tumbling gracefully across the mat.
• The rocks went tumbling down the hillside during the landslide.

Use 'fall' for a general downward movement, typically due to gravity, and often used for accidents or natural occurrences.

• Leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
• He tripped on the curb and had a bad fall.

Use 'drop' when something falls downward, usually from a certain height or level to a lower one, in a straightforward or vertical manner.

• She accidentally let the glass slip and it dropped to the floor.
• Temperatures are expected to drop significantly overnight.

Use 'plunge' when something moves downward quickly and with force, often into water or into a difficult situation.

• The diver took a deep breath and plunged into the pool.
• Stock prices plunged after the market crash.

Use 'topple' to describe something that falls over from a standing position, often with a sense of imbalance or instability.

• Strong winds caused the tree to topple over.
• The stack of books was unsteady and eventually toppled.

This term is often used to describe a series of acrobatic movements, such as rolls, flips, and twists, usually performed on the floor or a tumbling track. It's commonly associated with cheerleading, gymnastics, and martial arts.

• She excelled in tumbling routines during her gymnastics performance.
• The cheerleading squad practiced their tumbling moves intensively.

Acrobatics refers to a broader category of physical performance that includes flips, somersaults, and other feats of agility and coordination. It is often associated with circus acts, dance, and theatrical performances.

• The circus acrobats amazed the audience with their daring stunts.
• His acrobatics skills were impressive during the dance recital.

Gymnastics is a sport that involves exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. It often encompasses tumbling, flips, and other acrobatic maneuvers.

• She has been practicing gymnastics since she was five.
• The Olympics always feature awe-inspiring gymnastics events.

This word is specifically used to describe a move where the person rotates forward or backward in the air. It’s commonly used in casual conversations when talking about individual acrobatic moves.

• He can do a backflip on the trampoline.
• She landed her flip perfectly during the competition.

A somersault refers to a complete forward or backward roll in the air, landing on the feet. It is a specific move usually seen in gymnastics and acrobatics.

• He did a somersault over the fence.
• She managed to perform a perfect somersault during her floor routine.