fumble

¹fum·ble

verb \ˈfəm-bəl\

fum·bledfum·bling\-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of FUMBLE

intransitive verb

1

a : to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly b : to make awkward attempts to do or find something <fumbled in his pocket for a coin> c : to search by trial and error d : blunder

2

: to feel one's way or move awkwardly

3

a : to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder b : to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it

transitive verb

1

: to bring about by clumsy manipulation

2

a : to feel or handle clumsily b : to deal with in a blundering way : bungle

3

: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner

4

a : misplay <fumble a grounder> b : to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

— fum·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

— fum·bling·ly \-b(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of FUMBLE

1. She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
2. They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
3. He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
4. He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.

Origin of FUMBLE

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble

First Known Use: 1534

Related to FUMBLE

Synonyms: blow, bobble, boggle, bollix (up), boot, bugger (up), bumble, bungle, butcher, dub, flub, fluff, foozle, foul up, botch, goof (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), muck up, muff, murder, screw up

Related Words: blunder, gum (up), muddle, piffle; blemish, blight, damage, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, mutilate, ruin, spoil, vitiate; destroy, wreck; mishandle, mismanage

Near Antonyms: ameliorate, better, enhance, help, improve, meliorate, rectify, refine, reform, remedy; doctor, fix, patch, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp

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Rhymes with FUMBLE

bumble, crumble, grumble, humble, jumble, mumble, rumble, scumble, stumble, tumble, umbel