bobble

American  

[bob-uhl] / ˈbɒb əl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

bobbled, bobbling

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

bobble British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of bobble

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

Example Sentences

"But I always came back to sleep here even in the cold weather with a bobble hat on and sweater and a woollen blanket."

From BBC

The image depicts two children lying on the ground dressed in wellington boots, coats and winter bobble hats, one of them pointing upwards towards the sky.

From BBC

There was still an opportunity for someone to keep it out, but the ball bobbled past a sea of black and white shirts and crept past Ramsdale, who was slow to react.

From BBC

At third base, Hernández tagged up once, then again after seeing Frelick’s bobble, before finally breaking for home plate as the Brewers relayed the ball in.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Related Words

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