bobble

[ bob-uhl ]

noun

1. a repeated, jerky movement; bob.
2. a momentary fumbling or juggling of a batted or thrown baseball.
3. an error; mistake.
4. a small ball of fabric usually used decoratively, as in a fringe or other trimming:

   a sweater with a line of bobbles up the sleeves.

verb (used with object)

, bob·bled, bob·bling.

1. to juggle or fumble (a batted or thrown baseball) momentarily, usually resulting in an error.

bobble

/ ˈbɒbəl /

noun

1. a short jerky motion, as of a cork floating on disturbed water; bobbing movement
2. a tufted ball, usually for ornament, as on a knitted hat
3. any small dangling ball or bundle

verb

1. intr sport (of a ball) to bounce with a rapid erratic motion due to an uneven playing surface
2. informal.
   to handle (something) ineptly; muff; bungle

   he bobbled the ball and lost the game

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobble¹

1805–15; bob ¹ + -le; bobble ( def 4 ) perhaps new formation with bob ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobble¹

C19: from bob ¹(vb)

Example Sentences

Guests are required to bring their own crafts but paper, glue guns, assorted bobbles etc.

From Washington Blade

A well-coordinated radiofrequency pulse from the MRI machine will knock them off their alignment, like a finger flicking over a bobble toy.

From Nautilus

You can find children’s hats in many of the styles listed above including trapper, bobble, and the ever-popular beanie.

From Popular-Science

Many bobble hats have toppers made from yarn, fur, or other fabrics that are between one third and half the size of the hat itself.

From Popular-Science

She dispenses facts like a braying machine, bobble-nodding a head of hyper-lacquered hair.

From The Daily Beast

Nothing, that is, except an uncertain bobble of sea, overspread by a wind-driven mist which kept the wary under cover.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is too bad that I make so much bobble," said the Chinese lad to his friend one day.

From Project Gutenberg

When I seek to do what I supremely consider to be for the best I make a bobble.

From Project Gutenberg

He could distinguish that there was something; and that the something seemed to bobble.

From Project Gutenberg

She was weeping, too, her head vibrating like a bobble-doll.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bumble
• bungle
• err
• flub
• fumble
• miscalculate
• mishandle
• misjudge
• mismanage
• muff
• screw up