bobble

1 of 2

verb

bob·​ble ˈbä-bəl How to pronounce bobble (audio)
bobbled; bobbling ˈbä-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce bobble (audio)

bobble

2 of 2

noun

1
: a repeated bobbing movement
2
: a small ball of fabric
especially : one in a series used on an edging
3
: error, mistake
especially : a mishandling of the ball in baseball or football

Examples of bobble in a Sentence

Verb The catcher bobbled the ball. the first baseman bobbled the catch, so the runner was safe Noun a bobble that cost them the game The curtains have a series of bobbles along the edge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Alas, the Toronto infielder first bobbled the ball, then looked toward first well after Taylor had reached safely. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2023 Deshaun Watson’s pass to TE Harrison Bryant is bobbled, and intercepted by Alex Highsmith, who takes it to the house for 30 yards. Irie Harris, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2023 On 3rd and 10, Snyder dropped a beautiful pass to Marlyn Johnson, who bobbled the ball on his way down. Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2023 There were runners on the corners with one out in the first inning when Ibáñez bobbled an easy grounder near second base and fell to the ground as the ball trickled away from him. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023 Running toward the middle of the field, Pearsall leaped and caught the ball across his body and over his head with his right hand, not even bobbling it. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 24 Sep. 2023 Kiké Hernández bobbles a ground ball hit by Cleveland's Andres Gimenez during the second inning of Wednesday's loss. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 7 June 2023 On the ensuing kickoff, Terps sophomore Octavian Smith Jr. bobbled the return at the 5-yard line, but Hemby recovered the loose ball at the 13. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Sep. 2023 The scoring is so absurd that routine singles hit into the outfield are being called doubles when outfielders bobble the ball or throw to the wrong base. Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2023
Noun
Starr’s thanks to her hair show-worthy half up ‘do and Madison with pigtails and hair bobbles. Essence, 13 Sep. 2023 Other people in bobbles of their own also end up in this post-armageddon world, and a group of them are working to coordinate the survivors to travel forward to a point in time when there will be enough people to form a viable community. Vanessa Armstrong, Vulture, 27 July 2023 Go to Ohio State Buckeyes bobblehead shop: Ohio State Buckeyes figures, Ohio State Buckeyes bobbles. Marc Bona, cleveland, 12 Aug. 2023 Busch recovered from an initial bobble in time to retire the slow-footed catcher, but his throw sailed wide of first base for an error. Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023 The Reds All-Star bobble is numbered out of 216, and available for $70 at FOCO.com. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 7 July 2023 Curves and rises slide beneath the i7 with nary a bobble. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 28 June 2023 Rafael Devers ran in front of Hamilton on a Wendle chopper in the fifth, causing a Hamilton bobble and no play at first. Julian McWilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 27 June 2023 The only bobble occurred early in the climb, when McGuire bumped one of his knees on the ultra-steep stairs. Brad Townsend, Dallas News, 20 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bobble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of bob entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bobble was in 1812

Dictionary Entries Near bobble

Cite this Entry

“Bobble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bobble. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

bobble

verb
bob·​ble
ˈbäb-əl
bobbled; bobbling
ˈbäb-(ə-)liŋ
1
2
: to handle in a clumsy or unsure way : fumble
bobble noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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