stumble
|stum-ble|
/ˈstʌm.bəl/
trip or falter
Etymology
'stumble' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'stomblen,' where 'stom-' meant 'to stumble' and '-blen' was a frequentative suffix.
'stomblen' transformed into the modern English word 'stumble' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'to trip or fall,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an act of tripping or losing one's balance.
His stumble almost caused him to fall.
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Verb 1
to trip or lose one's balance while walking or running.
He stumbled over the rock.
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Verb 2
to make a mistake or hesitate in speech or action.
She stumbled over her words during the presentation.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39