fumble

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball

Synonyms of fumble

Verb

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

Noun

• 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

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Eugene Levy‘s fumbling birds and the bees talks comprise some of the funniest moments of American Pie — and most of them were improvised. — Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026

But in her concentration, Porsha fumbled her words, which made the Faithfuls, who were desperate for a crumb of evidence so early in the game, suspicious of her sincerity. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026

Noun

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

Anderson, a former BYU standout, played in 40 games during his three seasons with the Packers, contributing 36 tackles, recovering two fumbles, breaking up two passes and pulling down one interception in 145 defensive snaps. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 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

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