fumble

1 of 3

verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling 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 ground ball

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 ground ball

b

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

fumbler

ˈfəm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumblingly

ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

fumble

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball

fumbler

3 of 3

noun (2)

fum·​bler ˈfəmb(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

: one that fumbles

Synonyms of fumble

Verb

• blow
• boot
• botch
• ruin
• dub
• bungle
• murder
• muff
• foul up
• flub

Noun (1)

• mistake
• blunder
• error
• stumble

Examples of fumble in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun (1)

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In Madison’s Capitol Times, Paul Fanlud detected some worry from Wikler that Democrats might fumble their project of governing Wisconsin long enough to reform it. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

On Sunday, the Guardians essentially created a compilation video for Little League coaches to show their kids, a crash course in fumbling the fundamentals. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Noun

Herbert boasts 16 picks, 13 fumbles and four lost for 20 total. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 July 2026

Hargrave also had 31 total pressures, 24 hurries, three quarterback hits and forced one fumble. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble

First Known Use

Verb

1534, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fumble

• bumble
• crumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

fumble

1 of 2 verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to feel about for or handle something clumsily

fumbler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumble

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball