fumble
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈfʌmbəl/
Verb

fumble (fumbles, present participle fumbling; past and past participle fumbled)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To handle nervously or awkwardly.
    Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie.
    He fumbled the key into the lock.
  2. (transitive, intransitive) To grope awkwardly in trying to find something
    He fumbled for his keys.
    He fumbled his way to the light-switch.
  3. (intransitive) To blunder uncertainly.
    He fumbled through his prepared speech.
  4. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly.
    to fumble for an excuse
  5. (transitive, intransitive, sports) To drop a ball or a baton etc. by accident.
  6. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.
    • 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act 2, scene 3]:
      I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Noun

fumble (plural fumbles)

  1. (sports, American football, Canadian football) A ball etc. that has been drop#Verb|dropped by accident.
Translations Noun

fumble (plural fumbles)

  1. (British) A dessert similar to a cross between a fool and a crumble.



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