bungle

[ buhng-guhl ]
See synonyms for bungle on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),bun·gled, bun·gling.
  1. to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch: He bungled the job.

verb (used without object),bun·gled, bun·gling.
  1. to perform or work clumsily or inadequately: He is a fool who bungles consistently.

noun
  1. a bungling performance.

  2. that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.

Origin of bungle

1
First recorded in 1520–30; of uncertain origin

Other words for bungle

Other words from bungle

  • bungler, noun
  • bun·gling·ly, adverb
  • un·bun·gling, adjective

Words Nearby bungle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bungle in a sentence

  • I never knew him bungle over a rope or make a bad slip, and it was simply a pleasure to see him steer.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • In practically all crimes attempted by scientists they bungle their jobs completely.

  • I am sure the snarling Beasts could never bungle Life as men do, darling, Who half know.

    Songs from Vagabondia | Bliss Carman and Richard Hovey
  • Not very seriously, I am afraid, lamented Nathalie, judging from the bungle I made in trying to learn that square knot.

  • "I'm afraid I shall make a worse bungle of it than I did of the toast," he said, as he saw her folding her hands with delight.

    The Witness | Grace Livingston Hill Lutz

British Dictionary definitions for bungle

bungle

/ (ˈbʌŋɡəl) /


verb
  1. (tr) to spoil (an operation) through clumsiness, incompetence, etc; botch

noun
  1. a clumsy or unsuccessful performance or piece of work; mistake; botch

Origin of bungle

1
C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare dialect Swedish bangla to work without results

Derived forms of bungle

  • bungler, noun
  • bungling, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012