stumble

//ˈstʌmbəl//

Verbs
B2

Translation

stumble

Definition

To stumble means to trip or lose your balance while walking or running, often because your foot hits an object or the ground is uneven. It can also refer to making a mistake or encountering an obstacle in a figurative sense, such as stumbling upon a discovery or stumbling through a speech. This verb is commonly used in everyday contexts to describe physical missteps or accidental discoveries.

Example

  • She stumbled over a loose stone on the path and nearly fell.

  • He stumbled into the room, still half asleep.

  • The hiker stumbled on a root and twisted his ankle.

  • During the presentation, he stumbled over his words several times.

  • I stumbled across an old photograph in the attic.

  • The toddler stumbled forward but caught himself on the sofa.

  • She stumbled through the dark hallway, feeling for the light switch.

  • He stumbled upon a solution to the problem while taking a walk.

  • The actor stumbled during the monologue but quickly recovered.

  • They stumbled out of the theater, laughing at the comedy.

Synonyms

trip
falter
stagger
lurch
stumble upon

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