bumbling

American  

[buhm-bling] / ˈbʌm blɪŋ /

adjective

1. liable to make awkward blunders.

   a bumbling mechanic.

2. clumsily incompetent or ineffectual.

   bumbling diplomacy.

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noun

1. the act or practice of making blunders.

   The bumbling of their officers cost them the battle.

Other Word Forms

• bumblingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of bumbling

First recorded in 1525–35; bumble ¹ + -ing ²

Example Sentences

You’re going to get a refresh of the QB’s bumbling history against the Patriots—including the miserable night with the Jets when he complained he was “seeing ghosts”—but this dude isn’t that dude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Plus, they also received the annual charity of padding their record with two games against the bumbling New York Jets.

From The Wall Street Journal

He’s spent the months since demanding respect from the press while bumbling his way through scandal after scandal.

From Salon

“I’ve got it!” howls Pebble, who comes bumbling out of the exact wrong bush behind the marmot.

From Literature

In “Scavengers,” the mother-and-daughter odd couple are too bumbling to make any headway.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• inept