rumble

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'rumble' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a sound, usually a low, rumbling sound. For example, "The ground started to rumble and everyone panicked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jackson also said officials spent just three hours at the NUM archives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and that there was a growing suspicion that the IPCC was content to allow its "scoping" to rumble along while the Hillsborough inquests continue.

The Guardian

And yet on Tuesday, the ECB's failure to explain the decision beyond the issue of broken trust, and its lack of certainty on its permanence, means it will likely rumble on into the summer and beyond.

The Guardian - Sport

The bomb landed in Putney, and I can still recall the rumble as the buildings crashed to the ground.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe they'll be sucking the oil from under our land – that's not really fair, is it?" Another few hundred metres down the road and Elaine Gover, who has lived in the area all her life, watched another truck of fencing material rumble towards the drilling site, as a news helicopter clattered overhead, with a more sanguine air.

The Guardian - Business

27 min: Above the stadium, the rumble of thunder.

The Guardian - Sport

When business resumed, the point of order was ruled invalid by the speaker (though the issue will almost certainly rumble on).

The Guardian - Opinion

But the politics was always understated and the event was frequently interrupted by service dogs barking and the low rumble of revving engines outside.

The Guardian

When I visited the abandoned prison late this summer, a group of disinterested Iraqi forces sat at a checkpoint on the main road to Baghdad, eating watermelon as the distant rumble of shellfire sounded in the distance.

The Guardian

What really startled tonight was Gordon Brown's sheer, dogged resilience, his ability to put up a decent fight less than 24 hours after the previous day's humiliating rumble in Rochdale.

The Guardian - Opinion

When are they going to rumble him?" And one I heard just the other night, when a particularly successful actress appeared advertising home insurance on ITV: "Oh yeah, give her this job as well, she really needs the money".

The Guardian

The blast sent a rumble across the Emerald City, raising desert soil that caked homes brown, and sending thousands of pigeons scattering through the sky.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rumble" to describe a sound, consider the context. Is it a natural phenomenon like thunder, or something mechanical like a vehicle? This specificity enhances the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "rumble" interchangeably with words like "roar" or "thunder". While related, "rumble" often implies a lower frequency and more sustained sound than a sharp "roar" or a single clap of "thunder".

Linguistic Context

The word "rumble" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a low, heavy sound. As a verb, it describes the act of making such a sound. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "rumble" is a versatile word used as both a noun and a verb, primarily denoting a low, heavy, continuous sound or the action of making such a sound. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in contexts related to "News & Media". While its literal meaning refers to sounds like thunder or a vehicle's engine, it can also figuratively describe conflicts or ongoing issues. To avoid common errors, distinguish "rumble" from similar sound words by recognizing its lower frequency and sustained nature. When writing, consider the specific context to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low growl

Focuses specifically on the sound being low and guttural, emphasizing the auditory quality.

muffled roar

Highlights the suppressed intensity of the sound, implying a contained or distant source.

distant thunder

Emphasizes the atmospheric context and the sound's resemblance to natural phenomena.

underground tremor

Shifts the focus to the physical sensation and source of the vibration.

low-frequency vibration

Provides a technical description of the sound, emphasizing its frequency characteristics.

street fight

Replaces a sound with an event, maintaining only the sense of a disturbance or conflict.

heated dispute

Abstracts the physical sound into a conflict or disagreement, focusing on the intensity.

escalating conflict

Shifts from the sound to the idea of a conflict that is intensifying.

internal unrest

Focuses on the idea of inner turmoil or conflict, losing the sense of external sound.

growing dissent

Emphasizes the aspect of disagreement and opposition, moving away from the sound itself.

FAQs

How can I use "rumble" in a sentence?

You can use "rumble" to describe a low, heavy, continuous sound. For example, "I heard the "rumble" of thunder in the distance" or "My stomach began to "rumble" because I was hungry".

What is a synonym for "rumble" when referring to a street fight?

When "rumble" refers to a street fight, synonyms include "brawl", "gang fight", or "fracas".

Can "rumble" be used as a verb?

Yes, "rumble" can be used as a verb. For example, "The truck "rumbled" down the street" or "My stomach "rumbled" with hunger".

What does it mean when a dispute is said to "rumble on"?

When a dispute or issue is said to "rumble on", it means that it continues for a long time, often without a clear resolution. For instance, "The debate over healthcare reform continues to rumble on".