fumble

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈfʌmbəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: fum‧ble

Verb

Plain form fumble

Third-person singular fumbles

Past tense fumbled

Past participle fumbled

Present participle fumbling

1. (transitive & intransitive) To touch something nervously.

   Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie.

   He fumbled the key into the lock.

2. (transitive & intransitive) To feel around awkwardly while trying to find something.

   He fumbled for his keys.

   He fumbled his way to the light-switch.

3. (intransitive) To blunder uncertainly.

   He fumbled through his prepared speech.

4. (transitive & intransitive); (sports) To drop a ball or a baton etc.

   The player fumbled the ball.

Noun

Singular fumble

Plural fumbles

1. (sports) A ball that has been dropped.

   He's not playing well today. He's already had three fumbles.