IPA: /ˈbʌm.bəl/
KK: /ˈbʌmbl/
To move or act in a clumsy or awkward way, often making a buzzing sound.
The bee began to bumble around the garden, searching for flowers.
Past: bumbled
Past Participle: bumbled
A low, humming sound that is often made by bees or other insects.
The bumble of the bees filled the garden on a warm summer day.
To do something in a clumsy or careless way, often resulting in mistakes or failures.
He bumbled through the presentation, forgetting important points.
Past: bumbled
Past Participle: bumbled
Bumble → This word originates from Middle English 'bumblen', which is imitative of the sound of a buzzing or humming noise. The original meaning relates to making a buzzing sound, often associated with bees.
Imagine the sound of a bee buzzing around — that's what 'bumble' means, to make a buzzing noise.