muff

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈməf 

: a warm tubular covering for the hands

Illustration of muff

muff

2 of 3

verb

muffed; muffing; muffs

transitive verb

1

: to handle awkwardly

2

: to fail to hold (a ball) when attempting a catch

intransitive verb

1

: to act or do something stupidly or clumsily

2

: to muff a ball compare fumble

muff

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a bungling performance

2

: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch

Synonyms

Verb

• blow
• bobble
• boggle
• bollix (up)
• boot
• botch
• bugger (up)
• bumble
• bungle
• butcher
• dub
• flub
• fluff
• foozle
• foul up
• fumble
• goof (up)
• louse up
• mangle
• mess (up)
• muck up
• murder
• screw up

Examples of muff in a Sentence

Verb

He muffed his chance for a promotion.

The outfielder muffed an easy catch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery Snow Deer Heated Hand Muff with 7.4V Rechargeable Battery These heated hand muffs are a hunter’s dream. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024

Start with a classic pair of black jeans, then layer the cardigan under an oversized pea coat and add cozy accessories like a plaid scarf and furry ear muffs. —Vanessa Powell, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Wilson’s flea-flicker to Calvin Austin III reached the Eagles’ 39, but, three plays later, Najee Harris muffed a toss that was recovered by Slay. —Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024

Cherry Creek muffed a punt deep that the Titans recovered at the Bruins’ 27. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Dutch mof, from Middle French moufle mitten, from Medieval Latin muffula

Verb

probably from muff entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1599, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

muff

1 of 2 noun

ˈməf 

: a soft thick tubelike covering with open ends in which both hands may be inserted for protection from cold

muff

2 of 2 noun

: a clumsy or bungled performance

especially : a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch

muff verb

Etymology

Noun

from Dutch mof "a cover for the hands," from early French moufle "mitten"

Noun

probably from ¹muff