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

Simpson did bobble another handoff to running back Jordan Waters near the red zone, which contributed to Waters running into the backs of some of his linemen. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

And while Ewers has been victmized by receivers bobbling or mishandliung catchable passes on a few of those interceptions, that wasn’t the case Friday when there wasn’t a receiver near the pass. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Others secured the football, either cleanly or after a brief bobble. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

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

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