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
Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Whether your go-to is a beanie, balaclava, or ear muffs, stylish street stylers around the world demonstrate how a hat not only provides warmth on bitter winter days, but adds chic as well.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2025
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muff
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Noun
Instead, take a cue from Europeans, who have mastered the art of minimalist winter accessorizing with genius essentials like ear muffs, wool balaclavas, and leather gloves.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Whether your go-to is a beanie, balaclava, or ear muffs, stylish street stylers around the world demonstrate how a hat not only provides warmth on bitter winter days, but adds chic as well.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2025
Verb
Critics also complain that Dodge, known for its muscle cars, muffed its transition to hybrid power systems.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
One month after firing the coordinator responsible for the league's worst unit (per EPA), the Rams muffed a third-quarter punt that gave Seattle a short field and a subsequent 24-13 lead.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 26 Jan. 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 14 Feb. 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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