bobble
Americannoun
-
a repeated, jerky movement; bob.
-
a momentary fumbling or juggling of a batted or thrown baseball.
-
an error; mistake.
-
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)
noun
-
a short jerky motion, as of a cork floating on disturbed water; bobbing movement
-
a tufted ball, usually for ornament, as on a knitted hat
-
any small dangling ball or bundle
verb
-
(intr) sport (of a ball) to bounce with a rapid erratic motion due to an uneven playing surface
-
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Wednesday’s slalom, Shiffrin laid down a vintage first run in 47.13 seconds that gave her a lead of 0.82 seconds, despite a bobble halfway down the course.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026
At the full-time whistle, there were a smattering of boos from home supporters at Etihad Stadium and a despondent Haaland ripped off his hair bobble and shirt before heading straight down the tunnel.
From BBC • Dec. 26, 2024
Having started the play on first base, Pages saw the bobble, then decided to go for the tying run.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2024
That bobble, Clark said, might have made the difference.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024
The final night, even with my own bobble on beam and a not-quite-vertical handstand on bars, I came away with my fourth-straight National Championship win.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
