Fumble: meaning, definitions and examples

🤦

Add to dictionary

fumble

[ˈfʌmbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

in sports

To handle or play with something in a clumsy or unskillful way, often resulting in a mistake or error.

Synonyms

botch, bungle, mishandle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fumble	Fumble is usually used when someone clumsily drops or mishandles something, often due to nervousness or lack of dexterity. It can also refer to making a mistake in an awkward or unskilled way when trying to do something. She fumbled with her keys at the door During the game, he fumbled the ball and lost possession
bungle	Bungle is used when someone does something incompetently or makes a mess of a task. This term also carries a negative connotation, implying that the failure is due to ineptitude. The workers bungled the renovation, causing more damage than repair She bungled her speech, forgetting important points
botch	Botch is used when someone does something very badly, often due to lack of skill or care. This term has a negative connotation, suggesting the task was performed poorly. He really botched the job of painting the living room The company's PR team botched their response to the crisis
mishandle	Mishandle is used when someone manages or deals with something incorrectly or ineffectively. It often implies negligence or incompetence. It usually applies to tasks, situations, or objects. The police mishandled the evidence, leading to the collapse of the case The waiter mishandled the tray and everything fell to the floor

Examples of usage

She fumbled the ball and the other team scored a touchdown.
He fumbled with the controls and accidentally turned off the power.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

general

An act of mishandling or dropping something due to clumsiness or lack of skill.

Synonyms

blunder, error, mistake.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fumble	Fumble is best used when referring to awkward or clumsy handling, especially when someone is trying to do something and they drop or mishandle it. It often implies a lack of coordination or nervousness. He fumbled with the keys and dropped them on the ground. During the interview, she fumbled her words and struggled to express herself.
mistake	Mistake is a more general term for any kind of error or wrong action. It can be used in a wide range of contexts, from casual to formal, without strongly negative connotations. I made a mistake in my calculations. Everyone makes mistakes; it's part of being human.
blunder	Blunder is appropriate when referring to a serious mistake that is typically caused by carelessness or ignorance. It often implies that the mistake had significant consequences. The government made a major blunder by miscalculating the budget. He realized his blunder too late, and the damage was already done.
error	Error is generally used in more formal or technical contexts to refer to a mistake, usually in calculations, data, or procedures. It doesn't necessarily imply carelessness. The report contained several errors that needed correction. A system error caused the program to crash.

Examples of usage

She made a fumble while trying to catch the glass and it shattered on the floor.
His fumble with the paperwork caused a delay in the project.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'fumble' comes from the Old English 'fombian,' meaning to grasp or handle awkwardly.
It has connections to the Middle English word 'fumble,' which meant to touch or handle something roughly.

Sports

In American football, a 'fumble' is when a player loses possession of the ball while running, which can lead to exciting moments in the game.
In soccer, players can fumble the ball if they misplace a pass or miss a kick, causing a change in the game's flow.

Psychology

People often fumble when they are nervous or under pressure, highlighting how emotions can impact our physical abilities.
Research shows that when multitasking, our brains can become overwhelmed, leading to more frequent fumbles in everyday tasks.

Education

In learning environments, students might fumble when trying to present ideas, which is a normal part of developing public speaking skills.
Fumbling can also occur when trying to solve a difficult problem, underscoring the importance of patience and persistence in learning.

Pop Culture

In comedy, characters often fumble in humorous situations, showing how mistakes can lead to laughter.
Popular films often feature scenes where characters fumble during key moments, impacting the story’s outcome in a dramatic or comedic way.

Translations

Translations of the word "fumble" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tropeçar

🇮🇳 गिर पड़ना

🇩🇪 stolpern

🇮🇩 tersandung

🇺🇦 спотикатися

🇵🇱 potknąć się

🇯🇵 つまずく

🇫🇷 trébucher

🇪🇸 tropezar

🇹🇷 takılmak

🇰🇷 걸려 넘어지다

🇸🇦 يتعثر

🇨🇿 zakopnout

🇸🇰 zakopnúť

🇨🇳 跌倒

🇸🇮 spotakniti se

🇮🇸 hrasa

🇰🇿 құлау

🇬🇪 დაბრკოლება

🇦🇿 büdrəmək

🇲🇽 tropezar

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,921, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27918 vanquish
27919 curettage
27920 ticker
27921 fumble
27922 unrefined
27923 vaseline
27924 delimiting
...