verb
botch
boch
Botch (verb) means to do something badly or carelessly, ruining the result. Example: “He botched the job interview by showing up an hour late.”
verb
1
To do something badly or carelessly, ruining the result.
"He botched the job interview by showing up an hour late."
"The contractor botched the repair and the roof leaked again within a week."
noun
1
A poorly done piece of work; a mess.
"The renovation was a total botch from start to finish."
How to use botch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do a job so poorly that it fails or has to be redone.
Common mistake
Usually used about a specific job or task, not about a person's general character — "he botched the repair," not "he is a botch."
Common pairings
botch a job
botch it up
a complete botch
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like botch.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- botches
- Third person singular
- botches
- Past tense
- botched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ the job interview by showing up an hour late.
Etymology
From Middle English bocchen ("to mend"), of uncertain origin — possibly related to Old English words for repairing or improving something.
Related words
Rhymes for botch
See all rhymes for botch →Frequently asked questions
What does “botch” mean?
The word “botch” means to do something badly or carelessly, ruining the result. In plain terms, to do a job so poorly that it fails or has to be redone.
How do you pronounce “botch”?
“Botch” is pronounced boch (/bɑt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “botch” in a sentence?
Here is “botch” used in a sentence: “He botched the job interview by showing up an hour late.”
What part of speech is “botch”?
Depending on how it is used, “botch” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “botch” come from?
The word “botch” comes from Old English. From Middle English bocchen ("to mend"), of uncertain origin — possibly related to Old English words for repairing or improving something.
How many meanings does “botch” have?
“Botch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to do something badly or carelessly, ruining the result.
