Translate fumble | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of fumble
verb
[no object] use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something:she fumbled with the lock (
fumble around/about)
move clumsily in various directions using the hands to find one’s way:Greg fumbled around in the closet and found his black jacket [with object] use the hands clumsily to move (something) as specified:she fumbled a cigarette from her bag [with object] Football drop or lose control of (the ball), sometimes causing a turnover:he seldom fumbled a ball [with object] (in other ball games) fail to catch or field (the ball, a pass, a shot, etc.) cleanly. express oneself or deal with something clumsily or nervously:asked for explanations, Michael had fumbled for words
noun
[usually in singular] an act of using the hands clumsily while doing or handling something:just one fumble during a tire change could separate the winners from the losers Football an act of dropping or losing control of the ball, sometimes causing a turnover:his fumble was recovered on the 6-yard line (in other ball games) an act of failing to catch or field the ball cleanly. an act of managing or dealing with something clumsily:we are not talking about subtle errors of judgment, but major fumbles
