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Definition of fumble
fumbled
;fumbling
play \ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ\intransitive verb
1a : to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlesslyb : to make awkward attempts to do or find something fumbled in his pocket for a coinc : to search by trial and errord : blunder
2 : to feel one's way or move awkwardly
3a : to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounderb : to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it
transitive verb
1 : to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2a : to feel or handle clumsilyb : to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3 : to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4a : misplay fumble a grounderb : to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running
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Examples of fumble in a Sentence
She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.
They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.
He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.
He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.
Recent Examples of fumble from the Web
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Cho fumbled a horde of order tickets as the former Phoenix owner chuckled.
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But its reputation took a hit again in April when David Dao, a passenger who refused to give up his seat to make room for airline employees, was dragged from a plane at O'Hare International Airport and Munoz fumbled an initial apology.
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Auburn 35, Ole Miss 31; Nov. 1, 2014 -- A match-up of Top 4 teams in the playoff rankings, the Rebels looked like sure victors until Laquon Treadwell broke his leg while fumbling just short of the end zone in the final minute.
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In C-SPAN footage, Sen. Claire McCaskill is seen asking Sen. Orrin Hatch if there will be a hearing for the health care bill that will be brought to the floor, Hatch fumbled for an answer.
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He's fumbled just nine times in 953 career carries.
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In short, condensing your boarding pass and ID into the lines on your fingers could do away with fumbling around for slips of paper or the right app on your phone—
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Twin brothers Zeke and Jay are running and jumping across the playground, pretending to be tiny sailors on a ship, fumbling with a toy telescope to find their great-grandmother Konnie Cruz.
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Carlos Vargas and Hiram Munoz fumbled an exchange in the 64th minute, and Mexican national team winger Javier Aquino made them pay with an easy goal.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fumble'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of fumble
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble
Examples of fumble in a Sentence
played the entire piano piece without a single fumble
Recent Examples of fumble from the Web
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Due in large part to coughing up just five fumbles, SUU ranked ninth in turnover margin.
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Brian Milne the most unlikely hero of them all falls on the fumble, the muff by Hakim.
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Four years later, Oklahoma’s Barry Switzer pulled the same play out of the book against Jimmy Johnson’s Hurricanes as Mark Hutson picked up Charles Thompson’s fumble and rolled into the end zone.
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Ricky McCoy and Jared Pulu each forced fumbles in the scrimmage.
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A four-year starter for the Wildcats, DeAndrade had 285 career tackles, 62 passes defended, nine interceptions, three forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in his college career.
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LSU wasted three opportunities in the red zone, including a Guice fumble, a botched field goal snap, and the game ending goal line stand.
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Eligwe also recovered a fumble on a field-goal try, returning it 90 yards for a touchdown against Appalachian State, and intercepted a pass, one of three passes defended.
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McMillan, who is 6-2, 240 pounds, contributed 275 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in his three years at Ohio State.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fumble'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of fumble
1634
FUMBLE Defined for English Language Learners
fumble
playDefinition of fumble for English Language Learners
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: to search for something by reaching or touching with your fingers in an awkward or clumsy way
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: to handle something in an awkward or clumsy way
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sports : to fail to catch or hold the ball
FUMBLE Defined for Kids
Definition of fumble for Students
fumbled
;fumbling
1 : to feel about for or handle something in a clumsy way He fumbled in his pockets.
2 : to lose hold of the ball in football
Definition of fumble for Students
: an act of losing hold of the ball in football
Learn More about fumble
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See words that rhyme with fumble Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fumble Spanish Central: Translation of fumble Nglish: Translation of fumble for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fumble
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