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
Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s absolutely no faith in Denver’s punt or kick-return units at the moment after a punt muff, coverage breakdown and multiple penalties last week against the Texans.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Oklahoma’s special teams muffed a punt against Michigan in Week 2, then allowed a punt return touchdown to Texas in the fourth quarter.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muff
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Noun
According to former Joseph Magnin Company assistant buyer Doreen Provost, Monroe purchased the suit, along with a matching hat and a white fur muff, from her at the designer salon.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
There’s absolutely no faith in Denver’s punt or kick-return units at the moment after a punt muff, coverage breakdown and multiple penalties last week against the Texans.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
The Browns got into the red zone quickly after Bryce Baringer muffed a 15-yard punt.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Oklahoma’s special teams muffed a punt against Michigan in Week 2, then allowed a punt return touchdown to Texas in the fourth quarter.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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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