Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: to handle awkwardly
muffed the interview
2
: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch
1
: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily
I tried so hard and still muffed.
2
: to muff a ball compare fumble
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
Examples of muff in a Sentence
Verb
He muffed his chance for a promotion.
The outfielder muffed an easy catch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 June 2026
This ornament, situating them as something between a throw pillow and a hand muff, shrouds the thick-boned fore- and hindquarters that give them a characteristic rolling gait.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Anisimova got to within two points of the finish again, with Parry serving at 5-6, but then muffed a short, low backhand long.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for muff
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Noun
After Lovett’s muff, the defense was declared the winner, which meant planks for the offense.
—Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 June 2026
This ornament, situating them as something between a throw pillow and a hand muff, shrouds the thick-boned fore- and hindquarters that give them a characteristic rolling gait.
—Andrew Norman Wilson, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Cubs players continued to taunt Ruth at every opportunity, and a big one came their way in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jurges slashed a sinking liner into right field and the lumbering, top-heavy Babe muffed a shoestring catch.
—Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Anisimova got to within two points of the finish again, with Parry serving at 5-6, but then muffed a short, low backhand long.
—James Hansen, New York Times, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muff
1 of 2 noun
: a soft thick tubelike covering with open ends in which both hands may be inserted for protection from cold
muff
2 of 2 noun
: a clumsy or bungled performance
especially
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
muff
verb
Etymology
Noun
from Dutch mof "a cover for the hands," from early French moufle "mitten"
Noun
probably from 1muff
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