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

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

The first interception came when McCaffrey bobbled an over-the-shoulder attempt that Devin Lloyd picked off at the Jaguars’ 22-yard line. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025

Some of the turnovers have been bad luck, like when SMU ripped a would-be touchdown away from Eric McAlister in the end zone or when Jordan Dwyer bobbled a pass only for it to be intercepted by the Sun Devils. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Sep. 2025

Noun

Yastremska decorated her Yonex bag with cute furry bobbles and ribbons in Ukrainian flag colors. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

During the Monday, June 16, episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the actress and producer, 61, appeared in a black Stella McCartney suit covered with 3D metallic bobbles. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 17 June 2025

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