1 fumble | Definition of fumble

fumble

verb
fum·​ble | \ ˈfÉ™m-bÉ™l How to pronounce fumble (audio) \
fumbled; fumbling\ ˈfÉ™m-​b(É™-​)liÅ‹ How to pronounce fumbling (audio) \

Definition of fumble

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : 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
3a : 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
2a : to feel or handle clumsily
b : to deal with in a blundering way : bungle
3 : to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4a : misplay fumble a grounder
b : to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running

fumble

noun

Definition of fumble (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or instance of fumbling
2 : a fumbled ball

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Other Words from fumble

Verb

fumbler \ ˈfÉ™m-​b(É™-​)lÉ™r How to pronounce fumbler (audio) \ noun
fumblingly \ ˈfÉ™m-​b(É™-​)liÅ‹-​lÄ“ How to pronounce fumblingly (audio) \ adverb

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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Benedictine fumbled the opening kickoff and the Irish used a trick play to score a 30-yard touchdown less than minute into the game. cleveland.com, "Check out cleveland.com High School Football Top 25 Roundup for Week 1, August 30, 2019," 31 Aug. 2019 Moeller running back Bryan White fumbled at the Irish 23-yard line. Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati.com, "Todd Naumann's reign at Moeller starts with turnover-filled 28-0 loss to Indianapolis Cathedral," 31 Aug. 2019 Losers Former Vice President Joe Biden The Democratic front-runner fumbled. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, "Thursday Democratic debate: Who were the winners and losers," 28 June 2019 Unlike other pop success stories that critics later fumbled over themselves to ascribe meaning to, or to divine meaning beneath during the more pop-friendly critical environs of the 2000s, Hootie remained unloved, if thought of at all. Jon Caramanica, New York Times, "Hootie & the Blowfish, Great American Rock Band (Yes, Really)," 6 June 2019 Imperial Beach has been able to write its regulations without pressure from outside groups introducing ballot initiatives because the Association of Cannabis Professionals fumbled its attempt to introduce a ballot measure in February. Gustavo Solis, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Imperial Beach to vote on marijuana regulations in June," 31 May 2018 That attack was interrupted when the shooter, who was using a 33-round clip, stopped to reload and fumbled the fresh ammunition. Griff Witte, Anchorage Daily News, "As mass shootings rise, high-capacity magazines should be the focus of lawmakers, experts say," 19 Aug. 2019 Wilton Speight entered for the final four minutes and fumbled as the ball slipped free. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, "49ers 24, Broncos 15: Top takeways amid Garoppolo’s clumsy debut," 19 Aug. 2019 The long delay was the outgrowth of a game in which the Red Sox alternately erased and fumbled two-run leads. Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, "At Fenway: 5½ hours, buckets of rain, and no winner," 8 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Scheufele had 51 tackles, two pass break-ups, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Fall sports previews: 3 things to watch for Carroll County football in 2019," 4 Sep. 2019 After last year's fumble, Carrie is taking a page out of her original playbook. Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Carrie Underwood’s 'Sunday Night Football' Theme Song Is Changing Again This Year," 28 Aug. 2019 Consider its status on our end-of-the-year list a given, in spite of some imperfections and fumbles. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Review: Control is Remedy’s best game yet—and a ray tracing masterpiece," 26 Aug. 2019 However, a three-minute sequence changed the outcome for the Spartans, highlighted by a fumble that led to a 63-yard touchdown pass, long with a crucial sack in the waning moments. La Cañada Valley Sun, "La Cañada rallies to nonleague victory over Hacienda Heights Wilson in season opener," 22 Aug. 2019