bungle
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.”
How to Use Bungle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo mess something up through incompetence, or the resulting mess itself.
Word Forms
bungled past tense, bungles plural, bungles singular
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."
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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