muff
[ muhf ]
/ mʌf /
noun
verb (used with object)
Informal. to bungle; handle clumsily: He muffed a good opportunity.
Sports. to fail to hold onto (a ball that may reasonably be expected to be caught successfully); fumble.
verb (used without object)
Informal. to bungle; perform clumsily.
Nearby words
Origin of muff
1590–1600; < Dutch mof, earlier moffel, muffel mitten, muff < Old North French moufle < early Medieval Latin muffula, perhaps < Frankish
Related formsmuff·y, adjective
Definition for muff (2 of 2)
muff glass
noun
sheet glass made from a blown cylinder (muff) that is split and flattened.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for muff
British Dictionary definitions for muff (1 of 2)
muff
1/ (mʌf) /
noun
an open-ended cylinder of fur or cloth into which the hands are placed for warmth
the tuft on either side of the head of certain fowls
Word Origin for muff
C16: probably from Dutch mof, ultimately from French mouffle muffle 1
British Dictionary definitions for muff (2 of 2)
muff
2/ (mʌf) /
verb
to perform (an action) awkwardly
(tr) to bungle (a shot, catch, etc) in a game
noun
any unskilful play in a game, esp a dropped catch
any clumsy or bungled action
a bungler
Word Origin for muff
C19: of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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