bobble

1 of 2

verb

bob·​ble ˈbä-bəl 

bobbled; bobbling ˈbä-b(ə-)liŋ 

1

: bob entry 1

2

: fumble

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

Synonyms of bobble

Verb

• fumble
• blow

Noun

• mistake
• blunder
• error
• fumble

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

Kyle Branch plated a runner from third on a safety squeeze in which Cook bobbled the ball for an error. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Counsell also declined to blame Bregman for not going full speed on a grounder to short in the fifth that Pratt bobbled but still got the out. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Noun

Mara’s hands can be an issue with bobbles and turnovers, and his lateral foot speed is concerning. — Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Some noticeable opening night wobbles and bobbles only served to prove that point. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for bobble

• bauble
• cobble
• gobble
• hobble
• labile
• squabble
• wobble
• cantabile

Kids Definition

bobble

verb

bob·​ble

ˈbäb-əl

bobbled; bobbling

ˈbäb-(ə-)liŋ

1

: bob entry 1 sense 1a

2

: to handle in a clumsy or unsure way : fumble

bobble noun