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   Fum·ble

   /ˈfəmb(ə)l/

   

   verb

   • 1. use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something: "she fumbled with the lock"
   • ▪ move clumsily in various directions using the hands to find one's way: "Greg fumbled around in the closet and found his black jacket"
   • ▪ use the hands clumsily to move (something) as specified: "she fumbled a cigarette from her bag"
   • ▪ drop or lose control of (the ball), sometimes causing a turnover: "he seldom fumbled a ball"
   • ▪ (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

   • 1. 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"
   • ▪ 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"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Low German fommeln or Dutch fommelen.

   Derivatives

   • 1. fumbler noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • F

     4

   • U

     1

   • M

     3

   • B

     3

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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