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.
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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