fumble

1 of 2

verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly

b

: to make awkward attempts to do or find something

fumbled in his pocket for a coin

c

: to search by trial and error

d

: blunder

2

: to feel one's way or move awkwardly

3

a

: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder

b

: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it

transitive verb

1

: to bring about by clumsy manipulation

2

a

: to feel or handle clumsily

b

: to deal with in a blundering way : bungle

3

: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner

4

a

: misplay

fumble a grounder

b

: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

fumbler

ˈfəm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumblingly

ˈfəm-b(ə-)liŋ-lē 

adverb

fumble

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball

Synonyms

Verb

• blow
• bobble
• boggle
• bollix (up)
• boot
• botch
• bugger (up)
• bumble
• bungle
• butcher
• dub
• flub
• fluff
• foozle
• foul up
• goof (up)
• louse up
• mangle
• mess (up)
• muck up
• muff
• murder
• screw up

Noun

• blunder
• bobble
• boo-boo
• boob [British]
• brick
• clanger [British]
• clinker
• error
• fault
• flub
• fluff
• gaff
• gaffe
• goof
• inaccuracy
• lapse
• miscue
• misstep
• mistake
• oversight
• screwup
• slip
• slipup
• stumble
• trip

Examples of fumble in a Sentence

Verb

She fumbled in her pocket for her keys.

They fumbled a good opportunity to take control of the market.

He was hit hard and fumbled on the 20-yard line.

He fumbled the ball on the 20-yard line.

Noun

played the entire piano piece without a single fumble

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

By contrast, their opponents have fumbled 21 times, with the Chiefs pouncing on eight of those. —Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2025

Junior running back Ashton Jeanty fumbled the ball twice — one of those was recovered by the Broncos — en route to falling just short of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record. —Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

Week 16: Lions 34, Bears 17 Detroit Lions defensive end Josh Paschal celebrates after recovering a fumble as Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, right, walks off the field in the first quarter at Soldier Field. —Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025

The Lions took a 28-17 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Vikings rallied to go up 29-28 with 5:50 left when linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. returned a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown. —Mike Jones, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble

First Known Use

Verb

1534, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fumble

1 of 2 verb

fum·​ble ˈfəm-bəl 

fumbled; fumbling -b(ə-)liŋ 

: to feel about for or handle something clumsily

fumbler

-b(ə-)lər 

noun

fumble

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of fumbling

2

: a fumbled ball