verb
bumble
BUHM-buhl
verb
1
To move or speak in a clumsy, confused, or hesitant way.
"He bumbled through his speech, losing his place twice."
"The puppy bumbled around the yard chasing leaves."
noun
1
Short informal term for a bumblebee.
"A fat little bumble landed on the flower."
How to Use Bumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo move, speak, or act clumsily and without much coordination.
Word Forms
bumbled past tense, bumbled past tense, bumbles plural, bumbles plural, bumbles singular, bumbles singular
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He _____ through his speech, losing his place twice.
Etymology
Believed to be imitative of sound, like the related words bungle, jumble, and fumble.