blunder

[bluhn-der]

noun

1. a gross, stupid, or careless mistake.

   That's your second blunder this morning.

   Synonyms: error

verb (used without object)

1. to move or act blindly, stupidly, or without direction or steady guidance.

   Without my glasses I blundered into the wrong room.

2. to make a gross or stupid mistake, especially through carelessness or mental confusion.

   Just pray that he doesn't blunder again and get the names wrong.

verb (used with object)

1. to bungle; botch.

   Several of the accounts were blundered by that new assistant.

2. to utter thoughtlessly; blurt out.

   He blundered his surprise at their winning the award.

blunder

/ ˈblʌndə /

noun

1. a stupid or clumsy mistake

2. a foolish tactless remark

verb

1. to make stupid or clumsy mistakes

2. to make foolish tactless remarks

3. to act clumsily; stumble

   he blundered into a situation he knew nothing about

4. (tr) to mismanage; botch

Other Word Forms

• blunderer noun
• blunderingly adverb
• nonblundering adjective
• nonblunderingly adverb
• outblunder verb (used with object)
• superblunder noun
• unblundering adjective
• blundering noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of blunder¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English blunderen, blondren (verb), from Old Norse blunda “to shut one's eyes, nap”; compare Norwegian dialect blundra

Word History and Origins

Origin of blunder¹

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse blunda to close one's eyes, Norwegian dialect blundra ; see _blind

Synonym Study

See mistake.

Example Sentences

The responsibility for evacuations is split among the Office of Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Department and the Fire Department, and none have taken responsibility for the evacuation blunders.

From Los Angeles Times

Rebellious colonists skewered British taxation policies, military blunders and parliamentary pomposities through plays, songs and cartoons that rallied others to the cause of independence and made mass mobilization fun.

From Los Angeles Times

Analysts said the blunder was a "huge embarrassment" for WH Smith, which is looking for a fresh start after selling its UK High Street division earlier this year.

From BBC

He said Grok's "unrecognizable" and "blundering" play enabled o3 to claim a succession of "convincing wins".

From BBC

We look back at seven decades of Disneyland — its monumental launches, fascinating pivots, noteworthy blunders and where it’s heading from here.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blooper 
• error 
• fault 
• gaffe 
• goof 
• inaccuracy 
• indiscretion 
• lapse 
• oversight