How Do You Spell FUMBLE?

Pronunciation: [fˈʌmbə͡l] (IPA)

The word "fumble" is spelled with six letters and pronounced as /ˈfʌmbəl/. It starts with the voiceless fricative /f/ followed by the short vowel /ʌ/. The next two letters in the word are the voiced bilabial stop /m/ and the voiced alveolar approximant /b/. The word ends with the unstressed syllable /əl/, which is pronounced as a schwa sound. "Fumble" is a common word used to describe an awkward or clumsy attempt to grasp, hold, or handle something.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
Basic Check Advanced Check

FUMBLE Meaning and Definition

  1. Fumble is a verb that refers to the act of handling something clumsily or unskillfully, usually resulting in a loss of control or a mistake. It commonly describes the unintentional mishandling or dropping of an object, particularly when attempting to catch or hold it.

    In sports, especially American football, fumble is used to describe the act of losing possession of the ball due to an error in handling or carrying it. This can occur when a player fails to secure the ball properly or when it is forcefully dislodged by an opponent's action. Fumbles in sports often lead to turnovers, affecting the momentum and outcome of a game, as well as potentially deciding the fate of a team.

    Beyond sports, the term "fumble" can be applied metaphorically to situations outside of games and sports. It can pertain to moments of clumsiness, both physical and metaphorical, where someone fails to execute a task skillfully or efficiently. For instance, one might fumble when attempting to explain a complex idea or fumble through a presentation due to nervousness. It can also describe instances of miscommunication or mistakes in speech or writing, where someone stumbles or struggles to find the right words.

    In summary, fumble refers to the bungling or clumsy handling of something, often resulting in the loss of control, mishaps, or mistakes.

  2. To feel or grope about; to handle aawkwardly; to handle much.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for FUMBLE

Etymology of FUMBLE

The word "fumble" originated from the Middle English word "fomelen" or "fumblen", which meant "to grope clumsily" or "to feel or handle something awkwardly or with great difficulty". This Middle English term evolved from the Old English word "fumol", which referred to "taking hold of" or "seizing". Over time, "fumble" acquired its specific meaning of mishandling or dropping something while attempting to hold or catch it. The word has been in use since at least the late 14th century.

Idioms with the word FUMBLE

  • fumble for sth The idiom "fumble for something" means to search or struggle to find or retrieve something, usually with difficulty or clumsiness. It can also refer to having a hard time finding the right words or being uncertain about how to express oneself verbally.

Similar spelling words for FUMBLE

Plural form of FUMBLE is FUMBLES

Conjugate verb Fumble

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have fumbled
you would have fumbled
he/she/it would have fumbled
we would have fumbled
they would have fumbled
I would have fumble
you would have fumble
he/she/it would have fumble
we would have fumble
they would have fumble

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been fumbling
you would have been fumbling
he/she/it would have been fumbling
we would have been fumbling
they would have been fumbling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would fumble
you would fumble
he/she/it would fumble
we would fumble
they would fumble

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be fumbling
you would be fumbling
he/she/it would be fumbling
we would be fumbling
they would be fumbling

FUTURE

I will fumble
you will fumble
he/she/it will fumble
we will fumble
they will fumble

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be fumbling
you will be fumbling
he/she/it will be fumbling
we will be fumbling
they will be fumbling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have fumbled
you will have fumbled
he/she/it will have fumbled
we will have fumbled
they will have fumbled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been fumbling
you will have been fumbling
he/she/it will have been fumbling
we will have been fumbling
they will have been fumbling

IMPERATIVE

you fumble
we let´s fumble

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to fumble

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was fumbling
you were fumbling
he/she/it was fumbling
we were fumbling
they were fumbling

PAST PARTICIPLE

fumbled

PAST PERFECT

I had fumbled
you had fumbled
he/she/it had fumbled
we had fumbled
they had fumbled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been fumbling
you had been fumbling
he/she/it had been fumbling
we had been fumbling
they had been fumbling

PRESENT

I fumble
you fumble
he/she/it fumbles
we fumble
they fumble

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am fumbling
you are fumbling
he/she/it is fumbling
we are fumbling
they are fumbling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

fumbling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have fumbled
you have fumbled
he/she/it has fumbled
we have fumbled
they have fumbled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been fumbling
you have been fumbling
he/she/it has been fumbling
we have been fumbling
they have been fumbling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it fumble

SIMPLE PAST

I fumbled
you fumbled
he/she/it fumbled
we fumbled
they fumbled

Infographic

Correct spelling for fumble
Add the infographic to your website: