fumble
fumble Lexical Profile
fumble Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An instance of dropping a ball after having possession of it, or failing to catch or field a ball cleanly (especially in American football, baseball, or cricket).
"The running back's costly fumble in the fourth quarter cost the team their lead."
An act of handling, searching for, or dealing with something in a clumsy, awkward, or ineffective manner.
"After a brief fumble with the house keys, she finally managed to unlock the front door."
• verb
To use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something, or to grope about awkwardly in search of an object.
"He fumbled in his coat pockets for the train ticket while the conductor waited patiently."
To drop or fail to catch or field a ball cleanly after touching or having possession of it (especially in sports such as American football or baseball).
"The quarterback fumbled the snap just yards away from the goal line."
To express oneself or deal with a situation, task, or opportunity in an awkward, confused, or ineffective way.
"The nervous speaker fumbled for the right words when asked an unexpected question."
• Rhymes for fumble
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 16th century, likely of Scandinavian or Low German origin (compare Swedish 'fumla' and Dutch 'fommelen', meaning to grope about), ultimately from a Germanic root expressive of clumsy movement.