Somersault vs. Tumble — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 7, 2024
A somersault is a complete forward or backward rotation of the body in the air or on the ground, while a tumble involves a series of acrobatic movements or rolls, often including flips and somersaults.
Difference Between Somersault and Tumble
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Key Differences
A somersault is a single acrobatic movement where the body rotates fully either forward or backward, while a tumble refers to a more varied series of rolls or flips that often incorporate somersaults.
Somersaults are typically performed as distinct, isolated maneuvers, either from a standing position or with a run-up, while tumbles involve continuous motion that includes other acrobatic skills like cartwheels or handsprings.
A somersault involves a controlled rotation where the feet leave and land on the ground in a similar position, whereas a tumble can involve twists, turns, and multiple rotational movements.
Somersaults are used in gymnastics and diving, often requiring precise technique for a safe landing, while tumbling incorporates a sequence of acrobatic skills seen in sports like gymnastics and cheerleading.
Somersaults can be practiced as forward or backward rotations, while tumbling can encompass lateral movements or diagonal flips, providing more dynamic and varied motion.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A full-body forward or backward rotation
A sequence of acrobatic rolls or flips
Direction
Forward or backward
Various, including lateral and diagonal
Execution
Often a standalone maneuver
Continuous motion with multiple movements
Sports
Common in gymnastics and diving
Common in gymnastics and cheerleading
Movements
Singular rotation
Multiple rotational movements
Compare with Definitions
Somersault
A backward roll where the body rotates entirely.
She practiced her backward somersault for the competition.
Tumble
To perform a series of rolling and flipping acrobatics.
The children tumbled across the grassy field.
Somersault
An acrobatic maneuver involving a complete forward roll.
The gymnast completed a perfect forward somersault on the mat.
Tumble
To fall or roll suddenly and clumsily.
The hiker tumbled down the steep hill.
Somersault
An acrobatic flip performed in the air.
The diver executed a flawless somersault off the high dive.
Tumble
To move in a rapid and unsteady manner.
The gymnast tumbled energetically across the mat.
Somersault
A roll performed from a standing or running start.
The acrobat gained speed before performing a somersault.
Tumble
To flip forward or backward continuously.
She practiced her tumbling routine at the gym.
Somersault
A controlled rotation of the body, typically seen in sports.
He learned to do somersaults as part of his training.
Tumble
To roll down in a free or uncontrolled way.
The rocks tumbled down the mountainside after the landslide.
Somersault
A somersault (also flip, heli, and in gymnastics salto) is an acrobatic exercise in which a person's body rotates 360° around a horizontal axis with the feet passing over the head. A somersault can be performed forwards, backwards or sideways and can be executed in the air or on the ground.
Tumble
To perform acrobatic feats such as somersaults, rolls, or twists.
Somersault
An acrobatic stunt in which the body rolls forward or backward in a complete revolution with the knees bent and the feet coming over the head. Also called somerset; also called regionally tumbleset.
Tumble
To fall, roll, or move end over end
The rocks tumbled down the hill. The kittens tumbled over each other. The asteroids tumble through space.
Somersault
A complete reversal, as of sympathies or opinions.
Tumble
To spill, roll out, or emerge in confusion or disorder
Toys tumbled out of the closet.
Somersault
To execute a somersault.
Tumble
To pitch headlong; fall
Tumbled on the ice.
Somersault
Starting on one's feet, an instance of rotating one's body 360 degree while airborne or on the ground, with one's feet passing over one's head.
Tumble
To move quickly or awkwardly
We tumbled into the kitchen for lunch.
Somersault
To perform a somersault.
The performer somersaulted all the way across the stage.
Tumble
To hang down
Her hair tumbled onto her shoulders.
Somersault
A leap in which a person turns his heels over his head and lights upon his feet; a turning end over end.
Now I'll onlyMake him break his neck in doing a sommerset.
Tumble
To collapse
The wall tumbled down.
Somersault
An acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return
Tumble
To undergo a decline in position, status, or fortune
He tumbled from high office.
Somersault
Do a somersault
Tumble
To decrease
Prices tumbled.
Tumble
To come upon accidentally; happen on
We tumbled on a fine restaurant.
Tumble
(Slang) To come to a sudden understanding; catch on
Tumbled to the reality that he had been cheated.
Tumble
To cause to fall or collapse; bring down
The earthquake tumbled the wall.
Tumble
To put, spill, or toss haphazardly
Tumbled the extra parts into a box.
Tumble
To toss or whirl in a drum, tumbler, or tumbling box
The dryer tumbles the clothes.
Tumble
To cause to lose position, status, or fortune
A scandal tumbled the government.
Tumble
An act of tumbling; a fall.
Tumble
A decrease, as in value
Home prices took a tumble.
Tumble
A confused or disordered collection or amount of something
A tumble of shacks by the river.
Tumble
A fall, especially end over end.
I took a tumble down the stairs and broke my tooth.
Tumble
A disorderly heap.
Tumble
(intransitive) To fall end over end; to roll over and over.
Tumble
(intransitive) To perform gymnastics such as somersaults, rolls, and handsprings.
Tumble
(intransitive) To drop rapidly.
Share prices tumbled after the revelation about the company's impending failure.
Tumble
(transitive) To smoothe and polish, e.g., gemstones or pebbles, by means of a rotating tumbler.
Tumble
(intransitive) To move or rush in a headlong or uncontrolled way.
Tumble
To muss, to make disorderly; to tousle or rumple.
To tumble a bed
Tumble
(cryptocurrency) To obscure the audit trail of funds by means of a tumbler.
Tumble
To comprehend; often in tumble to.
Tumble
To roll over, or to and fro; to throw one's self about; as, a person in pain tumbles and tosses.
Tumble
To roll down; to fall suddenly and violently; to be precipitated; as, to tumble from a scaffold.
He who tumbles from a tower surely has a greater blow than he who slides from a molehill.
Tumble
To play tricks by various movements and contortions of the body; to perform the feats of an acrobat.
Tumble
To turn over; to turn or throw about, as for examination or search; to roll or move in a rough, coarse, or unceremonious manner; to throw down or headlong; to precipitate; - sometimes with over, about, etc.; as, to tumble books or papers.
Tumble
To disturb; to rumple; as, to tumble a bed.
Tumble
Act of tumbling, or rolling over; a fall.
Tumble
An acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end
Tumble
A sudden drop from an upright position;
He had a nasty spill on the ice
Tumble
Fall down, as if collapsing;
The tower of the World Trade Center tumbled after the plane hit it
Tumble
Cause to topple or tumble by pushing
Tumble
Roll over and over, back and forth
Tumble
Fly around;
The clothes tumbled in the dryer
Rising smoke whirled in the air
Tumble
Fall apart;
The building crimbled after the explosion
Negociations broke down
Tumble
Throw together in a confused mass;
They tumbled the teams with no apparent pattern
Tumble
Understand, usually after some initial difficulty;
She didn't know what her classmates were plotting but finally caught on
Tumble
Fall suddenly and sharply;
Prices tumbled after the devaluation of the currency
Tumble
Put clothes in a tumbling barrel, where they are whirled about in hot air, usually with the purpose of drying;
Wash in warm water and tumble dry
Tumble
Suffer a sudden downfall, overthrow, or defeat
Tumble
Do gymnastics, roll and turn skillfully
Common Curiosities
What sports emphasize tumbling?
Gymnastics, cheerleading, and acrobatics emphasize tumbling skills.
Do somersaults require special equipment?
Not necessarily, but mats or padded surfaces are often used for safety.
Can tumbling be practiced outdoors?
Yes, but it's safer to practice on suitable surfaces like mats.
Are somersaults performed only forward or backward?
Yes, they involve rotations either forward or backward.
Is tumbling easier than performing a single somersault?
Not necessarily, since tumbling involves combining multiple movements.
Do somersaults always involve a landing on the feet?
Generally, yes, but variations exist, like rolling into other movements.
Is a somersault the same as a flip?
A somersault is a type of flip, but not all flips are somersaults.
Do tumbling and gymnastics differ significantly?
Tumbling is a component of gymnastics, focusing specifically on acrobatic rolls and flips.
Do tumbling routines have specific guidelines?
Yes, guidelines vary by sport, with requirements for skill sequences.
Is a somersault different from a cartwheel?
Yes, a somersault is a full-body roll forwards or backward, while a cartwheel involves a sideways rotation using hands.
Can a tumble include somersaults?
Yes, tumbling often includes somersaults as part of its acrobatic movements.
Is it possible to tumble without training?
It's possible but not advisable; proper training reduces injury risk.
Is tumbling appropriate for all ages?
With proper training and safety, tumbling can be adapted for various ages.
What physical skills are needed for somersaults?
Core strength, coordination, and balance are crucial.
What role do somersaults play in diving?
They are key maneuvers that divers use to achieve specific rotational movements in the air.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
