stumble
word
/ˈstəmbəɫ/
/stˈʌmbəl/
Definition
To trip or lose your balance while walking; also, to make a mistake or hesitate, especially when speaking.
Usage & Nuances
'Stumble' is used literally for physically tripping, but often used metaphorically for making mistakes, especially in speech ('stumble over words'). Often informal and common in everyday English.
Spanish: tropezar - tartamudear (al hablar)Portuguese (BR): tropeçar - gaguejar (ao falar)Portuguese (PT): tropeçar - gaguejar (ao falar)Chinese (Simplified): 绊倒 - 结巴（说话时）Chinese (Traditional): 絆倒 - 結巴（說話時）Hindi: ठोकर खाना - अटकना (बोलते समय)Arabic: يتعثر - يتلعثم (عند التحدث)Bengali: হোঁচট খাওয়া - ভুল করাRussian: споткнуться - запнутьсяJapanese: つまずく - 言葉につまるVietnamese: vấp - vấp ngã - vấp (lời nói)Korean: 넘어지다 - 말실수를 하다Turkish: tökezlemek - sendelemekUrdu: ٹھوکر کھانا - بھول چوک کرناIndonesian: vấp ngã - nói lắp
Example Sentences
He stumbled upon an old friend at the market.
natural
I stumbled over my words during the presentation.
natural
I didn't see the rock and stumbled.
basic
She stumbled on the stairs but did not fall.
basic
He sometimes stumbles when he speaks English.
basic
Even the best athletes sometimes stumble under pressure.
natural