bobble
bobble Lexical Profile
bobble Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A mishandling or brief loss of control of a ball by a player, or a minor mistake.
"A costly bobble by the shortstop allowed the runner to reach first base safely."
British A small ball of tufted wool or fabric worn as a decoration on a hat, or an elastic band adorned with a small ball used to fasten hair.
"She wore a knitted winter hat topped with a fluffy white bobble."
A repeated, quick, jerky movement up and down.
"The float on the fishing line gave a sudden bobble as a fish nibbled the bait."
• verb
To move with a repeated, irregular, or jerky up-and-down motion.
"The cork bobbled gently on the surface of the rippling stream."
North American To mishandle or momentarily lose control of a ball when attempting to catch or field it.
"The outfielder bobbled the ground ball before throwing it to second base."
British To develop small fuzzballs of tangled fibers on the surface from wear or washing (of knitted fabric or clothing).
"Cheap acrylic sweaters tend to bobble after only a few washes."
• Rhymes for bobble
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the early 17th century as a frequentative and diminutive of the verb and noun 'bob', using the suffix '-le' to indicate repeated small movements or a small rounded object.