muff
Americannoun
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a thick, tubular case for the hands, covered with fur or other material, used by women and girls for warmth and as a handbag.
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a bungled or clumsy action or performance.
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Sports. a failure to hold onto a ball that may reasonably be expected to be caught successfully.
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a tuft of feathers on the sides of the head of certain fowls.
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Slang: Vulgar. a woman's pubic area.
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muff glass
verb (used with object)
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Informal. to bungle; handle clumsily.
He muffed a good opportunity.
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Sports. to fail to hold onto (a ball that may reasonably be expected to be caught successfully); fumble.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to perform (an action) awkwardly
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(tr) to bungle (a shot, catch, etc) in a game
noun
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any unskilful play in a game, esp a dropped catch
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any clumsy or bungled action
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a bungler
noun
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an open-ended cylinder of fur or cloth into which the hands are placed for warmth
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the tuft on either side of the head of certain fowls
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of muff
1590–1600; < Dutch mof, earlier moffel, muffel mitten, muff < Old North French moufle < early Medieval Latin muffula, perhaps < Frankish
Vocabulary lists containing muff
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.
A bonnet, a muff, a coat — these things are so crucial to the tragic climax that when they are introduced earlier in the story, they too begin to feel like turning points.
From New York Times • May 30, 2022
The Chiefs managed to hop on the muff for a fresh set of downs.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 5, 2021
Many anglers, caught up in the excitement of facing down their first bonefish or permit, will muff their first few casts.
From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2021
Atlantic Coast Conference coordinator of officiating Dennis Hennigan said coaches told him they would prefer their returners to run back kicks instead of risking a muff and getting pinned deep in their end.
From Washington Times • Oct. 19, 2018
I took up my muff and walked on.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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.
