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rumble

RUM-buhl/ˈɹʌm b(ə)l/

Pluralrumbles

Verbrumbles, rumbling, rumbled

12 meanings of rumble

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  1. 1
    a deep noisenouncountable
    A low, deep sound that keeps going, like thunder or a hungry stomach.

    Like the deep sound a big truck makes when it drives by far away.

    The rumble of thunder grew louder as the storm came closer.

    We heard a low rumble coming from the empty stadium.

    UsageOften a rumble of thunder.

    Similargrowl, boom, roll, roar

  2. 2
    make deep noiseverbintransitive
    To make a low, deep sound that keeps going.

    Thunder rumbled in the distance all afternoon.

    Her stomach began to rumble before lunch.

    UsageOften my stomach is rumbling.

    Similarroar, growl, thunder, boom, drone

  3. 3
    move noisilyverbintransitive
    To move along while making a low, deep sound.

    The old truck rumbled down the gravel road.

    Heavy wagons rumble across the wooden bridge.

    UsageOften rumble through or rumble past.

    Similartrundle, roll, rattle, thunder, lumber

    Note
  4. 4
    a gang fightnounslangcountable
    A fight between groups of people in the street.

    Like two groups of kids fighting after school.

    The two gangs planned a rumble for Friday night.

    A rumble broke out behind the diner after the game.

    UsageUse a rumble between two gangs to say which gangs are fighting.

    Similarbrawl, fight, scuffle, melee, fracas

  5. 5
    vibrate (games)verbintransitive
    To shake or vibrate, the way a game controller does to give feedback.

    Like a phone buzzing in your pocket when someone calls.

    The controller will rumble when your car crashes.

    My gamepad rumbled every time I took damage.

    UsageSay the controller rumbles.

    Similarvibrate, buzz

    Note
  6. 6
    fight each otherverbslangintransitive
    To fight, usually in a group out on the street.

    The two groups agreed to rumble after dark.

    They rumbled in the parking lot until the police arrived.

    UsageUse rumble with someone to say who you fight.

    Similarfight, brawl, scrap, clash

    Note

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Origin

From Middle English rumblen, a form of romen meaning "to roar." It began as an imitation of the sound.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts