1 B2 neutral
to continue making a deep, heavy sound
"The storm rumbled on through the night."
inseparable
rumble on
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
to continue for a long time, often heavily, noisily, or without a clear end
In plain English
to keep going for a long time
What does "rumble on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
to continue for a long time without ending, especially in an unpleasant or unresolved way
"The dispute has rumbled on for months without any agreement."
“
The war in Ukraine rumbles on.
— Common news headline wording; exact publication/date not reliably recalled
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to make a deep rolling sound and continue
Actually means
to keep going for a long time
Usage tip
Used both literally for thunder, engines, and noise, and figuratively for wars, arguments, or crises.
Words that pair with "rumble on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
war debate thunder conflict engine controversy
How to conjugate "rumble on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rumble on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rumbles on
he/she/it
Past simple
rumbled on
yesterday
Past participle
rumbled on
have + pp
-ing form
rumbling on
continuous
Hear "rumble on" in the wild
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Other ways to say "rumble on"
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