Standard Lemma guide

bumbling

adj · noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: B AH1 M B AH0 L IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
  • CMU ARPABET 2: B AH1 M B L IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Acting in a confused or ineffectual way; incompetent or inept; showing little or no skill.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a bumbling fool

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The act of one who bumbles; a mistake or error, especially through clumsiness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

present participle and gerund of bumble

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adjective satellite

Meaning 4

lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands- Mary H. Vorse

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a bumbling mechanic
  • a bungling performance
  • ham-handed governmental interference
  • could scarcely empty a scuttle of ashes, so handless was the poor creature

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bungling, butterfingered, ham-fisted, ham-handed, handless, heavy-handed, left-handed

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: goffo — acting in a confused or ineffectual way, incompetent
  • Italian: imbranato — acting in a confused or ineffectual way, incompetent
  • Māori: pakihawa — acting in a confused or ineffectual way, incompetent
  • Māori: ninipa — acting in a confused or ineffectual way, incompetent
Real reading context

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