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Definition of butterfingered

butterfingered

/ˈbʌt.ɚˌfɪŋ.ɡɚd/
but · ter · fin · gered
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butterfingered Lexical Profile

butterfingered Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Clumsy and prone to dropping things or failing to catch them.

Example

"The butterfingered outfielder dropped an easy fly ball in the final inning."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

buttercream
buttercup
butterfat
butterfingered
butterfingers
butterfish
butterfly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century from the figurative notion that a person's fingers are coated with slippery butter, causing objects to slide easily from their grasp.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Butterfingered. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/butterfingered
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