Stumble Definition & Meaning

stumble
noun
  1. an unsteady uneven gait
  2. an unintentional but embarrassing blunder; "he recited the whole poem without a single trip"; "he arranged his robes to avoid a trip-up later"; "confusion caused his unfortunate misstep"
verb
  1. walk unsteadily; "The drunk man stumbled about"
  2. miss a step and fall or nearly fall; "She stumbled over the tree root"
  3. encounter by chance; "I stumbled across a long-lost cousin last night in a restaurant"
  4. make an error; "She slipped up and revealed the name"

Synonyms for stumble

blunder noun

an embarrassing mistake commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
bumble verb

make a mess of, destroy or ruin; "I botched the dinner and we had to eat out

♫ Rhymes
falter noun

the act of pausing uncertainly; "there was a hesitation in his speech" be unsure or weak

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
hit noun

(baseball) a successful stroke in an athletic contest (especially in baseball)

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
lurch noun

an unsteady uneven gait a decisive defeat in a game (especially in cribbage) abrupt up-and-down motion (as caused by a

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
misstep noun

an unintentional but embarrassing blunder; "he recited the whole poem without a single trip

♫ Rhymes
stagger noun

an unsteady uneven gait walk as if unable to control one's movements

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
trip noun

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Stumble" in song lyrics

See how stumble is used in real songs:

  • "and you tumble, and you stumble"
    Blackalicious f/ Latyrx — Deep in the Jungle
  • "That's why I maintain and keep sane and don't stumble"
    Black Knights — Hustle is a Way of Life
  • "My name ain't weed, I don't tumble, I never stumble"
    The B.U.M.S. (Brothas Unda Madness) — Can You Do Without?

Words that rhyme with stumble

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Usage tips for "stumble"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "stumble" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for stumble to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with stumble ↔ Synonyms for stumble 🔬 Words containing stumble

Frequently asked questions

What does stumble mean?
an unsteady uneven gait an unintentional but embarrassing blunder; "he recited the whole poem without a single trip"; "he arranged his robes to avoid a trip-up later"; "confusion caused his unfortunate misstep" walk unsteadily; "The drunk man stumbled about" miss a step and fall or nearly fall; "She stumbled over the tree root" encounter by chance; "I stumbled across a long-lost cousin last night in a restaurant" make an error; "She slipped up and revealed the name"
What part of speech is stumble?
Stumble is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does stumble have?
Stumble has 6 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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