PERFECT GIFT IDEA!

The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

4.8

✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.

✔ All-in-one: dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.

✔ 632 pages, 147 lessons, 428 practical activities.

✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.

✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, CPE, BEC, PTE, FCE

Buy on Amazon

Amazon Best Seller:

#1 Spelling & Vocabulary.

#1 Education TOEFL & TOEIC.

#1 Slang & Idiom Reference Books.

Transform Your Vocabulary Today!

fumbling

noun

/ˈfʌmbᵊlɪŋ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of fumbling

The act or state of handling something clumsily or without precision.
"Her fumbling with the keys made it clear she was nervous."

Detailed meaning of fumbling

It is characterized by awkwardness, uncertainty, and a lack of coordination. When someone is fumbling, they are typically struggling to perform a task or manipulate an object smoothly and efficiently. It often involves dropping or mishandling items, making mistakes, or experiencing difficulty in achieving the desired outcome. The term "fumbling" can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's overall lack of proficiency or proficiency in a particular area, such as fumbling through a conversation or fumbling with a new technology. In essence, fumbling embodies the concept of struggling, stumbling, and grappling with a task or situation in a clumsy and unskillful manner.

Example sentences containing fumbling

1. The quarterback's fumbling of the football cost his team the game.
2. I could hear the fumbling of the puzzle pieces as she tried to put them together.
3. The magician's fumbling with the deck of cards revealed his lack of practice.
4. The child's fumbling attempt to tie his shoelaces ended up in knots.
5. The chef's fumbling with the knife made everyone in the kitchen uneasy.
6. I could sense his fumbling for words as he tried to apologize.

History and etymology of fumbling

The noun 'fumbling' is closely connected to its corresponding verb 'fumble' and shares a similar etymological origin. It stems from Middle English and Old English, where it had its roots in the Middle English term 'fomeling,' which meant 'the act of groping or feeling about clumsily.' This Middle English word, in turn, can be traced back to the Old English word 'fumung,' which also pertained to the action of fumbling or handling something clumsily. Both Middle English and Old English terms are linked to the Proto-Germanic root 'fumbōną,' which conveys the idea of handling things awkwardly or clumsily. Thus, the etymology of 'fumbling' underscores its historical association with the act or state of handling something without precision or with a lack of dexterity.

Quiz: Find the meaning of the noun fumbling:

answer1

answer2

answer3

answer4

Try Again!

Correct!

Continue Quiz

Further usage examples of fumbling

1. The student's fumbling through the exam showed a lack of preparation.
2. The hiker's fumbling with the map led them off the trail.
3. The singer's fumbling with the microphone caused a loud screech.
4. I couldn't help but laugh at his fumbling attempts to dance.
5. The comedian's fumbling delivery of jokes fell flat with the audience.
6. Her fumbling of the delicate glassware led to a disastrous crash.
7. The fumbling of the keys in the dark delayed our entry.
8. Fumbling with the controls, he accidentally changed the channel.
9. The quarterback's fumbling of the football cost the team the game.
10. His fumbling of the presentation materials left the audience perplexed.
11. Fumbling for the flashlight, she explored the dark, eerie cave.
12. The musician's fumbling of the sheet music disrupted the performance.
13. His fumbling of the camera resulted in blurry, unusable photos.
14. The detective's fumbling of the evidence jeopardized the case.
15. Fumbling with the microphone wire, the speaker struggled to start.
16. The child's fumbling of the puzzle pieces frustrated them.
17. Fumbling through the cluttered drawers, he searched for the missing keys.
18. The fumbling of the interviewee indicated nervousness.
19. Her fumbling of the phone caused an accidental call.
20. Fumbling with the remote, he finally turned off the loud TV.
21. The chef's fumbling of the knife made his cooking dangerous.
22. Fumbling with the script, the actor stumbled over lines.
23. His fumbling of the baseball led to an opposing team's run.
24. Fumbling with the camera settings, he missed the perfect shot.
25. The teacher's fumbling of the whiteboard markers disrupted the lesson.