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)

bobbled, bobbling 

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

Ryan Christie's corner, a bobble about and a smack into the Greek net.

Read more on BBC

An exception is a small Loewe bucket bag inspired by Josef’s early glass assemblage experiments when he was a Bauhaus student, which abounds with glass bobbles and haptic surprise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He muffed a punt that set up the Saints in scoring position and later bobbled another before recovering it, prompting rookie Luke Grimm to take over punt return duties in the second half.

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After controlling a bobbling pass and setting himself up in one touch, the 21-year-old rifled a hip-height volley on the swivel past Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon at full stretch.

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In the third inning, Betts hit a ground ball to A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson, who bobbled the ball to allow Betts to reach first and Chris Taylor to score from third.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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