fumble

Definition of fumble

[no object, with adverbial]

do or handle something clumsily:she fumbled with the lock
(fumble about/around) move clumsily in various directions using the hands to find one’s way:he fumbled about in the dark but could not find her
[with object and adverbial] use the hands clumsily to move (something) as specified:she fumbled a cigarette from her bag
[with object] (in ball games) fail to catch or field (the ball) cleanly: have you ever seen him fumble a ball? [no object]:the keeper fumbled
express oneself or deal with something clumsily or nervously:Michael had fumbled for words

[usually in singular]

an act of doing or handling something clumsily:just one fumble during a tyre change could separate the winners from the losers
informal an act of fondling someone for sexual pleasure: a quick fumble in a downtown tavern
(in ball games) an act of failing to catch or field the ball cleanly: he recovered a fumble after a bad exchange
an act of managing or dealing with something clumsily:we are not talking about subtle errors of judgement, but major fumbles

Derivatives

late Middle English: from Low German fommeln or Dutch fommelen

Definition of fumble in the US English dictionary