What does fumble mean?
Fumble means (transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly..
Fumble
/ˈfʌmbəl/ · verb
Meaning
(transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly..
Definitions by Sense
- (transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly.
- (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.
- (slang, obsolete) Of a man, to sexually underperform.
- (sports, American football, Canadian football) A ball etc. that has been dropped by accident.
Example Sentences
Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie.
He fumbled the key into the lock.
He fumbled for his keys.
He fumbled his way to the light-switch.
Adams novv began to fumble in his Pockets, and ſoon cried out, O la! I have it [a sermon] not about me— […]
He fumbled through his prepared speech.
to fumble for an excuse
My understanding stutters, and my memory fumbles.
Synonyms for fumble
Antonyms for fumble
Related Words
Word Forms
- fumbles
- fumbling
- fumbled
- famble
- fimble
Usage Notes
Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.
Practice and Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a synonym for fumble?
Common synonyms include grubble, poke, blunder, grope.
What is the opposite of fumble?
The opposite depends on the specific sense.
How do you use fumble in a sentence?
Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie.
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.