fumble
verb /ˈfʌmbl/
/ˈfʌmbl/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they fumble | /ˈfʌmbl/ /ˈfʌmbl/ |
| he / she / it fumbles | /ˈfʌmblz/ /ˈfʌmblz/ |
| past simple fumbled | /ˈfʌmbld/ /ˈfʌmbld/ |
| past participle fumbled | /ˈfʌmbld/ /ˈfʌmbld/ |
| -ing form fumbling | /ˈfʌmblɪŋ/ /ˈfʌmblɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to use your hands in a way that is not smooth or steady or careful when you are doing something or looking for something
- fumble (at/with/in something) (for something) She fumbled in her pocket for a handkerchief.
- He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.
- fumble around She was fumbling around in the dark looking for the light switch.
- fumble something + adv./prep. He fumbled the key into the ignition.
- fumble to do something I fumbled to zip up my jacket.
- [intransitive, transitive] to have difficulty speaking clearly or finding the right words to say
- fumble (for something) During the interview, she fumbled helplessly for words.
- fumble something to fumble an announcement
- [transitive] fumble something (especially in sport) to drop a ball or to fail to stop or kick itTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
Word Originlate Middle English: from Low German fommeln or Dutch fommelen.