1. trips or loses balance while walking or running
Usage: third person singular present
2. makes a mistake or error in speech or action
Usage: third person singular present
3. discovers or encounters something by chance
Usage: third person singular present; usually with ‘upon’ or ‘across’

1. instances of tripping or losing balance
Usage: plural form
2. mistakes or errors in performance
Usage: plural form

Examples

• She stumbles on the uneven sidewalk every morning.
• He often stumbles over difficult words when reading aloud.
• The detective stumbles upon an important clue by accident.
• Her stumbles during the dance routine were barely noticeable.
• The speaker’s stumbles made the presentation less effective.
• The child stumbles but quickly regains his balance.
• She stumbles across an old photo in the attic.