muff
muff Lexical Profile
muff Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To fail to properly catch, grasp, or hold onto a ball (especially in sports contexts).
"The punt returner muffed the catch, allowing the opposing team to recover the football on the ten-yard line."
To handle a situation or task clumsily, resulting in a blunder or failure.
"The leading actor completely muffed his lines during the highly anticipated opening night performance."
• noun
A clumsy or bungled action, especially a failure to hold a ball that has been caught or passed.
"The outfielder's unexpected muff in the final inning ultimately cost the team the championship game."
A tube-shaped article of clothing, typically made of fur or thick fabric, into which both hands are placed from opposite ends to keep them warm.
"During the Victorian era, ladies commonly carried a velvet muff to protect their hands from the biting winter chill."
An inept, clumsy, or unskillful person.
"He considered himself a bit of a muff when it came to repairing complex household appliances."
Word Nuance & Usage
While traditionally referring to a winter handwarmer or a sports blunder, 'muff' also functions as vulgar slang for female anatomy in modern colloquial English, meaning learners should use the term cautiously outside of sports or historical contexts.
• Rhymes for muff
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Originates from the late 16th century, derived from the Dutch word 'mof', meaning a thick glove or handwarmer, which in turn comes from Middle Dutch 'moffe'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.