bumbling


Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.

bum·ble 1

 (bŭm′bəl)
v. bum·bled, bum·bling, bum·bles
v.intr.
1. To speak in a faltering manner.
2. To move, act, or proceed clumsily. See Synonyms at blunder.
3. To make a buzzing sound.
v.tr.
1. To say (something) in a faltering manner.
2. To bungle; botch: bumble one's lines in a play.
[Perhaps blend of bungle and stumble.]
bum′bler n.

bum·ble 2

 (bŭm′bəl)
intr.v. bum·bled, bum·bling, bum·bles
To make a humming or droning sound; buzz.
n.
A humming or droning sound; a buzz.
[Middle English bomblen, of imitative origin.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.bumbling - lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands; "a bumbling mechanic"; "a bungling performance"; "ham-handed governmental interference"; "could scarcely empty a scuttle of ashes, so handless was the poor creature"- Mary H. Vorse
butterfingered, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed, bungling, handless, left-handed
maladroit - not adroit; "a maladroit movement of his hand caused the car to swerve"; "a maladroit translation"; "maladroit propaganda"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

bumbling

adjective clumsy, awkward, blundering, bungling, incompetent, inefficient, lumbering, inept, maladroit a clumsy, bumbling, inarticulate figure
able, fit, capable, efficient, competent, brisk
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

bumbling

adjective
Clumsily lacking in the ability to do or perform:
awkward, clumsy, gauche, heavy-handed, inept, maladroit, unskillful.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations

bumbling

[ˈbʌmblɪŋ]
A. ADJ (= inept) → inepto, inútil; (= muttering) → que habla a tropezones
B. N → divagación f
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

bumbling

[ˈbʌmblɪŋ] adj [person] → empoté(e)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

bumbling

adj (= clumsy) → schusselig (inf); some bumbling idiot → irgend so ein Vollidiot (inf)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
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It seems to have been summer when our readings began, and they are associated in my memory with the smell of the neighboring gardens, which came in at the open doors and windows, and with the fluttering of moths, and the bumbling of the dorbugs, that stole in along with the odors.
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BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable gave Nick Clegg lukewarm support yesterday as the Deputy Prime Minister faced continued attacks on his "bumbling" leadership.
Cable backs Clegg amid chaos.. just; LEADERSHIP
Summary: Rowan Atkinson is back as the bumbling spy Johnny English in the long awaited sequel Johnny English Reborn.
Johnny English has special talents

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