Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
Examples of muff in a Sentence
Verb
He muffed his chance for a promotion.
The outfielder muffed an easy catch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
The muff is full-coverage, attaches easily and securely to the stroller, and features an extendable panel for use as a child grows.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
Shotgun Spratling, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Trejo muffed Zach McKinstry’s grounder at shortstop for another error in the Tigers’ five-run second.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
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Noun
Watching the race in person requires ear muffs and a willingness to hear your brain and heart vibrate to a motor’s adrenaline.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2025
The muff is full-coverage, attaches easily and securely to the stroller, and features an extendable panel for use as a child grows.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
Third baseman Hedges muffed a barehand attempt when the ball bounced with funky spin on a hard bunt that one-hopped.
—Shotgun Spratling, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
Trejo muffed Zach McKinstry’s grounder at shortstop for another error in the Tigers’ five-run second.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
muff
1 of 2 noun
: a soft thick tubelike covering with open ends in which both hands may be inserted for protection from cold
muff
2 of 2 noun
: a clumsy or bungled performance
especially
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
muff
verb
Etymology
Noun
from Dutch mof "a cover for the hands," from early French moufle "mitten"
Noun
probably from 1muff
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