Illustration of muff
muffed; muffing; muffs
1
: a bungling performance
2
: a failure to hold a ball in attempting a catch
Synonyms
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
Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Indeed a powerful sensuousness lingers in these small drawings and sketches, notably in Wenzel Hollar’s decadent piles of muffs and stoles and Félix Vallotton’s hoard of women shoppers caressing fabrics.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 14 June 2024
Keff Ciardello, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Sep. 2024
Jones muffed the catch on a first-quarter kickoff against the Titans, then clumsily kicked the football forward, where Tennessee’s Julius Chestnut recovered for a head-scratching turnover.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muff 
Noun
To make the flying experience easier and more enjoyable, dogs have access to various aids such as calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Indeed a powerful sensuousness lingers in these small drawings and sketches, notably in Wenzel Hollar’s decadent piles of muffs and stoles and Félix Vallotton’s hoard of women shoppers caressing fabrics.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 14 June 2024
Verb
Following a three-and-out by the Bearkats, the Bobcats were set to get the ball back with 2:30 left in the half before Kole Wilson muffed a punt that was recovered by Sam Houston.
—Keff Ciardello, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Sep. 2024
Jones muffed the catch on a first-quarter kickoff against the Titans, then clumsily kicked the football forward, where Tennessee’s Julius Chestnut recovered for a head-scratching turnover.
—Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 12 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for muff
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near muff
Cite this Entry
“Muff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muff. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.
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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