fumble

play

verb fum·ble \ ˈfəm-bəl \

Definition of fumble

fumbled; fumbling play \ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

1 a :to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly

b :to make awkward attempts to do or find something

fumbled in his pocket for a coin

c :to search by trial and error

d :blunder

2 :to feel one's way or move awkwardly

3 a :to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder

b :to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it

transitive verb

1 :to bring about by clumsy manipulation

2 a :to feel or handle clumsily

b :to deal with in a blundering way :bungle

3 :to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner

4 a :misplay

fumble a grounder

b :to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

—

fumbler

play \ˈfəm-b(ə-)lər\ noun

—

fumblingly

play \ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē\ adverb

See fumble defined for English-language learners

See fumble defined for kids

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

The Reds trailed 2-1 to start the bottom of the sixth, but fumbled a chance to tie it and maybe take the lead.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds recap: Jose Peraza a pinch-hit hero vs. Chicago Cubs," 24 Aug. 2017
A few players fumbled with the glasses but the funniest part was when the camera panned over to defensive back Tony Brown.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "Video of Alabama football players' funny reaction to eclipse," 21 Aug. 2017
Punter James Priddy fumbled a snap and was tackled at the 8.

— mike hutton, Post-Tribune, "Jaeger Gill returns opening kickoff for TD as Lowell slips past Crown Point," 18 Aug. 2017
Dolphins Senorise Perry (34) fumbles a second quarter kick off return as the Miami Dolphins play the Baltimore Ravens in their second preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, Aug. 17, 2017.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "Winners and losers from Ravens-Dolphins preseason matchup," 17 Aug. 2017
As Republicans in the Senate stumble and fumble with their long-promised but never seriously planned repeal of Obamacare, the Trump administration is starting to leak its plans for what counts as ambitious immigration reform.

— michael brendan dougherty, National Review, "Trump’s Admirable but Unlikely Goals on Immigration," 14 July 2017
Clearly, this cartoon version of Castlevania wants to build a story of a lost and dark anti-hero who earns his way back into the good guy fold, but veteran comics writer Warren Ellis fumbles this archetypal story in a spectacular fashion.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Castlevania on Netflix falls one whip short of a good crack," 8 July 2017
Cho fumbled a horde of order tickets as the former Phoenix owner chuckled.

— jake fischer, SI.com, "'Eat because it's a window into a culture': 76ers chef's journey from Seoul to Seattle to the NBA," 29 June 2017
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.

— lauren zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "United Airlines wins suit against founder of Untied.com complaint site," 26 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1534

See Words from the same year

fumble Synonyms

fumble

noun

Definition of fumble

1 :an act or instance of fumbling

2 :a fumbled ball

Examples of fumble in a Sentence

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Recent Examples of fumble from the Web

McCree’s fumble in the 2006 playoffs might have kept perhaps the Chargers’ best team ever from the Super Bowl.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Doesn't matter, but Chargers fans get new reason to say 'What if?'," 28 Aug. 2017
Bates made two tackles and recovered a fumble, and Blackson made a tackle in a 19-7 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "Auburn NFL roundup: Rookies register first sacks in same game," 27 Aug. 2017
The Slicers' next possession also came within inches of a touchdown, but Hobart's defense forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Sal Valle.

— dave melton, Post-Tribune, "Growth spurt: Hobart shows big improvement from opener in win over LaPorte," 26 Aug. 2017
However, Perrion Winfrey forced a fumble and Isaac Moore had a 25-yard return for a TD to give Lake Park (1-0, 1-0) its first lead with 56 seconds left.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Tanner Westwood sparks rally, but Waubonsie Valley loses to Lake Park," 26 Aug. 2017
Rush also lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

— chadd cripe, idahostatesman, "Rookie, not Kellen Moore, takes backup quarterback snaps in Cowboys game," 26 Aug. 2017
The week before, against the Chargers, Garvin scooped up a fumble forced by Wilhoite and ran it back for a 37-yard pick-six.

— stefanie loh, The Seattle Times, "For Seahawks LB Terence Garvin, Seattle is starting to feel like home," 22 Aug. 2017
Twice, the offense was stopped at the Dragons 1-yard line, losing one scoring chance to a fumble and getting stopped on downs another time.

— steve bittenbender, The Courier-Journal, "Milton Wright shines as Christian Academy beats South Oldham," 18 Aug. 2017
Daniels forced a Donnel Pumphrey fumble in Saturday’s practice.

— les bowen, Philly.com, "Tre Sullivan has to hit to make the Eagles, but he doesn't want to injure," 12 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of fumble

1634

fumble Synonyms

Synonyms

blunder, bobble, boob [British], boo-boo, brick, clanger [British], clinker, fault, flub, fluff, error, gaff, gaffe, goof, inaccuracy, lapse, miscue, misstep, mistake, oversight, screwup, slip, slipup, stumble, trip

Near Antonyms

accuracy, correctness, exactitude, exactness, preciseness, precision, strictness; inerrancy, infallibility, perfection

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

crease, lateral, lax, overthrow, playbook, post, screen, scrum, secondary, ultimate

FUMBLE Defined for English Language Learners

fumble

play

verb

Definition of fumble for English Language Learners

: to search for something by reaching or touching with your fingers in an awkward or clumsy way
: to handle something in an awkward or clumsy way
sports : to fail to catch or hold the ball

FUMBLE Defined for Kids

fumble

play

verb fum·ble \ ˈfəm-bəl \

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

fumble

noun

Definition of fumble for Students

:an act of losing hold of the ball in football

Learn More about fumble

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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fumble

Definition of fumble

fumbler

fumblingly

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fumble

Definition of fumble

Examples of fumble in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fumble from the Web

First Known Use of fumble

fumble Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Field and Goal Sports Terms

FUMBLE Defined for English Language Learners

fumble

Definition of fumble for English Language Learners

FUMBLE Defined for Kids

fumble

Definition of fumble for Students

fumble

Definition of fumble for Students

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