fumble

(fŭmˈbəl)

1. To touch or handle nervously or idly: fumble with a necktie.
2. To grope awkwardly to find or to accomplish something: fumble for a key.
3. To proceed awkwardly and uncertainly; blunder: fumble through a speech.
4. a. Football To drop a ball that is in play.
   b. Baseball To mishandle a ground ball.

1. To touch or handle clumsily or idly: “fumbled the receiver into its cradle” (Howard Kaplan).
2. To make a mess of; bungle. See Synonyms at botch.
3. To feel or make (one's way) awkwardly.
4. a. Football To drop (a ball) while in play.
   b. Baseball To mishandle (a ground ball).

1. The act or an instance of fumbling.
2. Sports A ball that has been fumbled.

Related Forms:

• fumˈbler noun