verb
bungle
BUHNGGL
Bungle (verb) means to perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch. Example: “The contractors bungled the renovation and left the roof leaking.”
verb
1
To perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch.
"The contractors bungled the renovation and left the roof leaking."
noun
1
A poorly handled situation caused by incompetence; a blunder.
"The whole event was a bungle from start to finish."
How to use bungle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mess something up through incompetence, or the resulting mess itself.
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Word forms
- Plural
- bungles
- Third person singular
- bungles
- Past tense
- bungled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contractors _____ the renovation and left the roof leaking.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly imitative in origin, like the related bumble and fumble, or from an Old Norse root meaning "to strike."
Related words
Rhymes for bungle
See all rhymes for bungle →Frequently asked questions
What does “bungle” mean?
The word “bungle” means to perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch. In plain terms, to mess something up through incompetence, or the resulting mess itself.
How do you pronounce “bungle”?
“Bungle” is pronounced BUHNGGL (/ˈbʌŋɡ(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “bungle” in a sentence?
Here is “bungle” used in a sentence: “The contractors bungled the renovation and left the roof leaking.”
What part of speech is “bungle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bungle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bungle” come from?
The word “bungle” comes from Old Norse. Origin uncertain — possibly imitative in origin, like the related bumble and fumble, or from an Old Norse root meaning "to strike.".
How many meanings does “bungle” have?
“Bungle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perform a task badly through carelessness or lack of skill; to botch.
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