tumble

verb

• 1 [no object] (typically of a person) fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong:she pitched forward, tumbling down the remaining stairs
• move or rush in a headlong or uncontrolled way:police and dogs tumbled from the vehicle
• (of something abstract) fall rapidly in amount or value:property prices tumbled
• [with object] rumple; disarrange: (as adjective tumbled)his tumbled bedclothes
• [with object] informal have sexual intercourse with (someone).

• 2 [no object] British (tumble to) informal understand the meaning or hidden implication of (a situation):she tumbled to our scam

• 3 [no object] perform acrobatic or gymnastic exercises, typically handsprings and somersaults in the air.
• (of tumbler pigeons) repeatedly turn over backward in flight.

• 4 [with object] clean (castings, gemstones, etc.) in a tumbling barrel.

noun

• 1a sudden or headlong fall:I took a tumble in the nettles
• a rapid fall in amount or value:a tumble in share prices
• an untidy or confused arrangement or state:her hair was a tumble of untamed curls
• informal an act of sexual intercourse.
• a handspring, somersault in the air, or other acrobatic feat.

• 2US informal a friendly sign of recognition, acknowledgment, or interest:not a soul gave him a tumble