fumble — to use your hands awkwardly when trying to hold, move, or find something
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to use your hands awkwardly when trying to hold, move, or find something
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfʌmbəl/
Example Sentences
- The spy fumbled for his secret weapon but accidentally pulled out his grocery list instead.
- She always fumbles with her phone when her crush calls.
- The students fumbled through their excuses when caught cheating.
fumble
VERB[/ˈfʌmbəl/]
to use your hands awkwardly when trying to hold, move, or find something
The nervous waiter's hands fumble the tray, sending glasses flying mid-air.
FUM(fume) + BLE(table) — blinded by the thick FUM(fume), the man began to fumble blindly across the BLE(table) to find his keys.
As the old stairs began to crumble, the waiter managed to stumble and clumsily fumble the expensive plates.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English and Old Norse/Germanic roots. Related to the Old Norse 'fumla' meaning to grope or handle clumsily, with possible connection to words meaning 'to feel about' in Germanic languages.
Breakdown
fum- (to handle clumsily, from Old Norse fumla) + -ble (verb suffix) = fumble (to handle awkwardly)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The spy fumbled for his secret weapon but accidentally pulled out his grocery list instead.”
“She always fumbles with her phone when her crush calls.”
“The students fumbled through their excuses when caught cheating.”
“Don't fumble this opportunity - it might not come again.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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