muff

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈməf 

: a warm tubular covering for the hands

Illustration of muff

muff

2 of 3

verb

muffed; muffing; muffs

transitive verb

1

: to handle awkwardly

muffed the interview

2

: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch

intransitive verb

1

: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily

I tried so hard and still muffed.

2

: to muff a ball compare fumble

muff

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a bungling performance

2

: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch

Synonyms of muff

Verb

• fumble
• blow
• boot

Examples of muff in a Sentence

Verb

He muffed his chance for a promotion.

The outfielder muffed an easy catch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

According to former Joseph Magnin Company assistant buyer Doreen Provost, Monroe purchased the suit, along with a matching hat and a white fur muff, from her at the designer salon. —Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025

There’s absolutely no faith in Denver’s punt or kick-return units at the moment after a punt muff, coverage breakdown and multiple penalties last week against the Texans. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2025

Verb

Despite all the offense, a defensive play by Central senior defensive back CJ Acosta, who had muffed a kickoff moments prior that gave the Centurions one last shot at winning the game, sealed the victory. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025

However, punt returner Ke’Shawn Williams muffed it, giving the Chargers the ball at the 21-yard line. —The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Dutch mof, from Middle French moufle mitten, from Medieval Latin muffula

Verb

probably from muff entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1599, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for muff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

muff

1 of 2 noun

ˈməf 

: a soft thick tubelike covering with open ends in which both hands may be inserted for protection from cold

muff

2 of 2 noun

: a clumsy or bungled performance

especially : a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch

muff verb

Etymology

Noun

from Dutch mof "a cover for the hands," from early French moufle "mitten"

Noun

probably from ¹muff