Fumble
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈfʌmbəl/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Fumble is a verb meaning (transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly.
Meaning
(transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly.
More Meanings
- (transitive, intransitive) To grope awkwardly in trying to find something
- (intransitive) To blunder uncertainly.
- To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly.
- (transitive, intransitive, sports) To drop a ball or a baton etc. by accident.
- To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.
- (sports, American football, Canadian football) A ball etc. that has been dropped by accident.
- (slang, obsolete) Of a man, to sexually underperform.
Example Sentences
to fumble for an excuse
He fumbled for his keys.
He fumbled the key into the lock.
He fumbled his way to the light-switch.
Word Forms
- fumbles
- fumbling
- fumbled
Synonyms for fumble
Depending on context, synonyms include grubble, poke, blunder, grope, muff, bollix.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include bungle, mess up, muck up, botch, blunder, foul up.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.