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

The adorable accessory is made with a velvet headband and faux fur muffs that instantly elevate your outfit while still keeping your ears warm. —Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, Haley and Hope respectively stayed warm in lavender and black jackets, furry ear muffs and boots. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

If the ball is muffed after simultaneous touching by two such players, all the players of the passing team become eligible to catch the loose ball. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 15 Jan. 2025

However, the ball was muffed by the Bengals and recovered by Pittsburgh on the opposite 38, giving them life again. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025

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