verb
Uncommon
fumble
FUHM-buhl
Fumble (verb) means to handle something clumsily or nervously, often dropping or mishandling it. Example: “He fumbled with his keys in the dark.”
verb
1
To handle something clumsily or nervously, often dropping or mishandling it.
"He fumbled with his keys in the dark."
"She fumbled the presentation after losing her notes."
2
In sports, to accidentally drop the ball.
"The running back fumbled on the two-yard line."
noun
1
An instance of dropping or clumsily mishandling something, especially in sport.
"The fumble cost them the game."
How to use fumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo handle something awkwardly, or (informally) to badly mess up a chance or moment.
Common pairings
fumble the ball
fumble with
fumble an opportunity
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Word forms
- Plural
- fumbles
- Third person singular
- fumbles
- Past tense
- fumbled
Fill the gap
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He _____ with his keys in the dark.
Etymology
Likely from Low German or Dutch fummelen, "to fumble," possibly related to Scandinavian words for clumsy groping.
Related words
Rhymes for fumble
See all rhymes for fumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “fumble” mean?
The word “fumble” means to handle something clumsily or nervously, often dropping or mishandling it. In plain terms, to handle something awkwardly, or (informally) to badly mess up a chance or moment.
How do you pronounce “fumble”?
“Fumble” is pronounced FUHM-buhl (/ˈfʌmbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fumble” in a sentence?
Here is “fumble” used in a sentence: “He fumbled with his keys in the dark.”
What is another word for “fumble”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fumble” include poke.
What part of speech is “fumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “fumble” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “fumble” come from?
The word “fumble” comes from German. Likely from Low German or Dutch fummelen, "to fumble," possibly related to Scandinavian words for clumsy groping.
Is “fumble” a common word?
“Fumble” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “fumble” have?
“Fumble” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to handle something clumsily or nervously, often dropping or mishandling it.
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