fumble

Fumble is defined as to clumsily search or handle, or to lose hold of an object, particularly in football.

(verb)

An example of fumble is to go through a drawer in the dark searching for an item.

The definition of a fumble is an awkward handling or searching or a dropping of something, particularly in football.

(noun)

An example of a fumble is the dropping of a football.

See fumble in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb, transitive verb fumbled, fumbling

to search (for a thing) by feeling about awkwardly with the hands; grope clumsily
to handle (a thing) clumsily or unskillfully; bungle
to lose one's grasp on (a football, etc.) while trying to catch or hold it
to make (one's way) clumsily or by groping

Origin: var. of ME famelen, prob. < ON famla, akin to Du fommeln, Ger fummeln

noun

Related Forms:

See fumble in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb fum·bled, fum·bling, fum·bles

verb, intransitive

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

verb, transitive

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

noun