bobble
Americannoun
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a repeated, jerky movement; bob.
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a momentary fumbling or juggling of a batted or thrown baseball.
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an error; mistake.
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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
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a short jerky motion, as of a cork floating on disturbed water; bobbing movement
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a tufted ball, usually for ornament, as on a knitted hat
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any small dangling ball or bundle
verb
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(intr) sport (of a ball) to bounce with a rapid erratic motion due to an uneven playing surface
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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
The video showed Draper had got his racquet head to the ball, with the frame causing the ball to bobble awkwardly and draw the error out of Moutet's forehand in response.
From BBC • May 13, 2025
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.
