Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: to handle awkwardly
muffed the interview
2
: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch
1
: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily
I tried so hard and still muffed.
2
: to muff a ball compare fumble
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
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
Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Whether your go-to is a beanie, balaclava, or ear muffs, stylish street stylers around the world demonstrate how a hat not only provides warmth on bitter winter days, but adds chic as well.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2025
Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muff
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Noun
Instead, take a cue from Europeans, who have mastered the art of minimalist winter accessorizing with genius essentials like ear muffs, wool balaclavas, and leather gloves.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025
Whether your go-to is a beanie, balaclava, or ear muffs, stylish street stylers around the world demonstrate how a hat not only provides warmth on bitter winter days, but adds chic as well.
—Irene Kim, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2025
Verb
The sure-handed Doubs muffed the recovery with less than two minutes remaining and the Packers leading by 7.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Robinson muffed the second-half kickoff to pin the 49ers at their 12.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muff
1 of 2 noun
: 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
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