muff

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈməf 

: a warm tubular covering for the hands

Illustration of muff

muff

2 of 3

verb

muffed; muffing; muffs

transitive verb

1

: to handle awkwardly

muffed the interview

2

: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch

intransitive verb

1

: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily

I tried so hard and still muffed.

2

: to muff a ball compare fumble

muff

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a bungling performance

2

: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch

Synonyms of muff

Verb

• fumble
• blow
• boot

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

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

Tommy Troy then reached on a single, per the official scorer, but shortstop Christian Koss should’ve been charged with an error after muffing a grounder. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

With Freddie Freeman standing on second base, after a leadoff double against Padres right-hander Randy Vásquez, Muncy hit a sharp grounder to second baseman Will Wagner, who muffed the play. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Dutch mof, from Middle French moufle mitten, from Medieval Latin muffula

Verb

probably from muff entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1599, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for muff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

muff

1 of 2 noun

ˈməf 

: 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