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bungle

[ buhng-guhl ]
/ ˈbʌŋ gəl /
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See synonyms for: bungle / bungled / bungling / bungler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), bun·gled, bun·gling.
to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch: He bungled the job.
verb (used without object), bun·gled, bun·gling.
to perform or work clumsily or inadequately: He is a fool who bungles consistently.
noun
a bungling performance.
that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.
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Origin of bungle

First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin

OTHER WORDS FROM bungle

bungler, nounbun·gling·ly, adverbun·bun·gling, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bungle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bungle

bungle
/ (ˈbʌŋɡəl) /

verb
(tr) to spoil (an operation) through clumsiness, incompetence, etc; botch
noun
a clumsy or unsuccessful performance or piece of work; mistake; botch

Derived forms of bungle

bungler, nounbungling, adjective, noun

Word Origin for bungle

C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare dialect Swedish bangla to work without results
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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