muff

[ muhf ]

noun

1. a thick, tubular case for the hands, covered with fur or other material, used by women and girls for warmth and as a handbag.
2. a bungled or clumsy action or performance.
3. Sports. a failure to hold onto a ball that may reasonably be expected to be caught successfully.
4. a tuft of feathers on the sides of the head of certain fowls.
5. Slang: Vulgar. a woman's pubic area.
6. muff glass

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to bungle; handle clumsily:

   He muffed a good opportunity.

2. Sports. to fail to hold onto (a ball that may reasonably be expected to be caught successfully); fumble.

verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to bungle; perform clumsily.

muff

¹

/ mʌf /

verb

1. to perform (an action) awkwardly
2. tr to bungle (a shot, catch, etc) in a game

noun

1. any unskilful play in a game, esp a dropped catch
2. any clumsy or bungled action
3. a bungler

muff

²

/ mʌf /

noun

1. an open-ended cylinder of fur or cloth into which the hands are placed for warmth
2. the tuft on either side of the head of certain fowls

Other Words From

• muffy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of muff¹

1590–1600; < Dutch mof, earlier moffel, muffel mitten, muff < Old North French moufle < early Medieval Latin muffula, perhaps < Frankish

Word History and Origins

Origin of muff¹

C19: of uncertain origin

Origin of muff²

C16: probably from Dutch mof, ultimately from French mouffle muffle ¹

Example Sentences

He also has made a few costly mistakes in the process, such as muffing a punt against Wisconsin and dropping a key third-down pass against Minnesota.

From Los Angeles Times

It will come as little surprise that the goalies in the crease, drawing on years of experience and wearing the right gear for the task, easily turned aside nearly all of the muffed penalty shots.

From Seattle Times

It was mostly an evening of stumbles and bumbles: two fumbles, an interception, a muffed punt, a blocked extra point, a raft of untimely penalties — and for the 49ers enough regrets to last a lifetime.

From New York Times

And keep your ears cozy with ear muffs or a hat.

From Seattle Times

Players have a number of ways to combat the cold, including hand muffs with warmers and heated insoles.

From New York Times

Related Words

• botch
• flub
• fumble
• mishandle