muff
[ muhf ]
/ mʌf /
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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.
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Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of muff
1590–1600; <Dutch mof, earlier moffel, muffel mitten, muff <Old North French moufle<early Medieval Latin muffula, perhaps <Frankish
OTHER WORDS FROM muff
muffy, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use muff in a sentence
Mitt, dear chap, one is delighted to escort Muffy to the cotillion.
Paul Begala: Huntsman Wins South Carolina Debate by Dropping Out|Paul Begala|January 17, 2012|DAILY BEASTSignor Brunoni had not got that muffy sort of thing about his chin, but looked like a close-shaved Christian gentleman.
Cranford|Elizabeth Cleghorn GaskellMuffy is not only a very intelligent little cat, but I can tell you she is also a very good-natured one, too.
Happy Days for Boys and Girls|Various
British Dictionary definitions for muff (1 of 2)
muff1
/ (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)
muff2
/ (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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