How to pronounce tumble
Say it like TUHM-bul. Tumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tumble. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUHM
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tumble pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tumble
American and British speakers say tumble in essentially the same way: /ˈtʌmbəl/ in the US and /ˈtʌmbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TUHM-bul.
What does tumble mean?
- To fall end over end; to roll over and over.
- To throw headlong.
- To perform gymnastics such as somersaults, rolls, and handsprings.
- A fall, especially end over end.“I took a tumble down the stairs and broke my tooth.”
- A disorderly heap.
Where does tumble come from?
From Middle English tumblen (“to fall over and over again, tumble”), frequentative of Middle English tumben (“to fall, leap, dance”), from Old English tumbian, from Proto-West Germanic *tumbōn, tūmōn, from Proto-Germanic *tumbōną, tūmōną (“to turn, rotate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with tumble
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of tumble.
Questions about saying tumble
How do you pronounce tumble?
Say TUHM-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʌmbəl/. In British English it is /ˈtʌmbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tumble?
Tumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUHM). Broken into parts: TUHM · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say tumble the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtʌmbəl/ and the British form is /ˈtʌmbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.