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

But there was no blunder quite like what happened when the Bruins lined up for a 46-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Layoff tactics are changing—and their blunders keep coming.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Putin blundered on Feb. 24, 2022, and has struggled for an answer since.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And then there is “faux pas,” which is an embarrassing blunder or lapse of good manners.

Read more on Literature

Since he became leader in 2017, Democrats have overlooked multiple tactical blunders because of his campaign savvy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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