Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
Synonyms
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
Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 14 June 2024
Canine passengers will be able to socialize with one another during the flight, and will be offered treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and beverages.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 23 May 2024
Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Freshman wide receiver Semaj Morgan was back to return the punt, and muffed the catch off his chest.
—Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 1 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muff 
Noun
Indeed a powerful sensuousness lingers in these small drawings and sketches, notably in Wenzel Hollar’s decadent piles of muffs and stoles and Félix Vallotton’s hoard of women shoppers caressing fabrics.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 14 June 2024
Canine passengers will be able to socialize with one another during the flight, and will be offered treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and beverages.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 23 May 2024
Verb
On a windy Saturday, Worthy muffed multiple punts off the JUGS machine and from Chiefs punters with Reid standing nearby.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2024
Freshman wide receiver Semaj Morgan was back to return the punt, and muffed the catch off his chest.
—Jared Ramsey, Detroit Free Press, 1 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
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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