stumble · verb I /ˈstʌm.bəl/
stumble (FALL)
C2 to step badly and almost fall over
Dictionary example:
Mary stumbled on the loose rocks.
Learner example:
My attic was so dark that I stumbled and fell. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
stumble (PAUSE)
C2 to make a mistake, such as pausing or repeating a word, while speaking or performing
Dictionary example:
He kept stumbling over the same word.
Learner example:
One of the new-stars worried so much that she began stumbling over the words in the middle of her hit. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)
stumble across/on/upon sth/sb
C2 to discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance
Dictionary example:
I stumbled across these photographs while I was cleaning out my desk.
Learner example:
After months of property website surfing and house-hunting over weekends, we finally stumbled upon this amazing end of terrace house in Lavender Road. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Afrikaans)
